Article Posted on : - Feb 07, 2012

An Astute-class submarine. A Thales photo

LONDON (BNS): Thales UK has been contracted by BAE Systems to provide the sonar system for UK Navy's new Astute-class nuclear attack submarine, HMS Anson.

Under the contract, valued worth over £30 million (USD 47.4 million), Thales will supply the complete sonar system, comprising both inboard and outboard of the bow, fin, intercept and flank arrays, and the associated inboard processing, for the fifth Astute-class nuke submarine.

The latest contract makes Thales the supplier of Sonar 2076 and other equipment for the first five Astute-class submarines of UK Navy -- Astute, Ambush, Artful, Audacious and Anson.

BAE Systems is building seven Astute-class submarines which will replace the Swiftsure and Trafalgar class submarines of the Royal Navy. The new advanced submarines are designed to carry out a range of strategic and tactical roles, including anti-ship and anti-submarine operations, surveillance and intelligence gathering and support for land forces.