Thales announces new sonar systems

PARIS, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- A new range of compact sonar systems for patrol boats and other surface combatant vessels was announced Monday at the Euronaval 2014 exhibition in France.

The sonar systems by Thales include a hull-mounted system, the BlueWatcher, and Captas-1, a towed array product.

"Until now, the only ships equipped with sonars have tended to be front-line warships deployed as part of a larger naval or carrier group on anti-submarine warfare missions," Thales said. "Today, Thales has developed a new range of sonars that are more compact, modular and ready to deploy on low-intensity missions to provide an initial, high added-value ASW (anti-submarine warfare) capability with high levels of performance and dependability at lower cost."

Thales' BlueWatcher is an easy-to-install, plug-and-play sonar. It is based on the technology used for the FLASH dipping sonar, which is carried by helicopters and in use by the U.S. Navy, Britain's Royal Navy and the French Navy.

Captas-1, the newest addition to the Captas family of systems. It is a low-frequency, variable-depth sonar with a single ceramic ring configuration and an all-electric reeling system.