• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Thales awarded contract for Spartan programme

25 June 2004

The Naval Programmes Service (SPN) of the French Ministry of Defence (DGA) has awarded a contract to Thales Underwater Systems for the Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) module of the US-French collaborative SPARTAN USV programme.

The DGA has entered this Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration programme, led in the USA by NAVSEA-NUWC, the aim of which is to demonstrate the Military Utility of USVs for Assured Access and Force Protection in the Littorals, in integrating demountable mission modules on a remotely-controlled Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB). The programme will pave the way for surface drones that could equip the future US Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), and the Franco-Italian Multi-mission frigates (FREMM).

The novel feature of the ASW module of SPARTAN, now led by France, is that Thales will utilise the FLASH dipping sonar and its winch, mounted on the RHIB. Best known as the leading helicopter-borne ASW sonar, FLASH will be complemented by an NRBC (Nuclear, Radiological, Biological, and Chemical) detection capability, and an Obstacle Avoidance function.

The FLASH helicopter sonar system has already been chosen by the Navies of the USA, UK, France, UAE, Norway and Sweden. This contract acknowledges its versatility and capacity for use on surface as well as airborne platforms.