Thales Underwater Systems

Thales Underwater Systems (TUS) has been awarded a contract by DCN to supply an integrated Sonar system for France's new SSBN (Nuclear-powered Ballistic Missile Submarine) "Le Terrible". Le Terrible, the fourth of the French Navy's new generation SSBNs, is under construction at Cherbourg, France under the overall Prime Contractorship of DCN. Thales... Underwater Systems will be responsible for the design and development of the integrated system, including outboard antennas and arrays - passive bow, towed, and flank arrays and inboard processing equipment. This integrated Sonar system will give the new SSBN a leading edge advantage in terms of detection, operation, and reliability. Thales Underwater Systems will deliver the Sonar to DCN for installation on-board the submarine and further integration testing with the combat management system. Thales Underwater Systems will support these activities and participate during the sea acceptance tests. This integrated Sonar system is a key component of the new generation Combat System (SYCOBS = SYstem de COmbat Barracuda-SSBN), which will be fitted to the new generation of French Nuclear-powered Attack Submarines. These new SSNs, through the Barracuda program, will replace the Amethyst Class. Thales Underwater Systems is the major supplier of sonar and allied systems to Naval Forces world-wide. In addition to its three domestic customers (France, UK, and Australia), TUS has an export customer base of about 40 nations. The Company is the only Sonar system supplier which provides a complete range of systems for Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Mine Warfare, for use by all platforms - Nuclear and conventional submarines, Surface ships, Fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, Minehunters and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles. In addition, TUS supplies Seismic Oil and Gas Exploration Systems, Torpedo Homing Heads, and Port Security systems. These products are backed by a comprehensive range of Customer Support products and services.Read More