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MoD approved Sonar 2076 Stage 5 Critical Design Review

12 June 2007

Thales UK's underwater systems business, based in Templecombe and Cheadle Heath, has successfully passed the Sonar 2076 Stage 5 Critical Design Review (CDR) undertaken by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). This was a major milestone in the Stage 5 programme, highlighting the rapid progress being made in the development of an open architecture technology to underpin Sonar 2076's world beating capability.

Thales demonstrated to the MoD customer the maturity of the system, with operational software hosted on actual hardware, enhancing the company's record as the leading provider and integrator of UK sonar technology.

The design solution for Stage 5 provides significant benefits for the customer, including the potential for rapid capability insertion, reduced through-life costs of ownership and improved obsolescence management. Furthermore, it supports a long-term objective to transition the legacy tactical weapon system to an open-architecture common core combat system.

"The Thales approach to open-system architecture is based on industry-recognised service-oriented standards, enabling our sonar systems to receive rapid capability upgrades. This is in line with the Ministry of Defence's drive for cost-effective approaches to thru-life capability management," says Ed Lowe, Managing Director of Thales UK's naval business.

Captain Pat O'Neill, the MoD's Submarine Combat System Group leader, said that he is "very pleased with the progress of the Sonar 2076, Stage 5 programme". He paid tribute to the excellent collaborative approach being taken by the Thales, BAE Systems and MoD teams, and looks forward to the fit of a Stage 5 system in a Trafalgar-class submarine, marking another key step towards a sustainable open submarine combat system.

Thales UK was awarded the Sonar 2076 Stage 5 contract, worth some £30 million, in September 2006. The programme will replace the existing Sonar 2076 Stage 4 inboard processing on a single Trafalgar platform and will be a candidate for subsequently replacing the Sonar 2076 Stage 4 inboard processing equipment installed on Trafalgar- and Astute-class submarines with an open-architecture COTS-based processing system.

This programme is seen as a key initiative in reducing acquisition costs for additional Astute-class boats and reducing in-service support costs of the first three submarines currently in build.

Notes to editors

Sonar 2076 Stage 5 will be deployed to the first-of-class boat, expected to be HMS Trenchant, during 2009. In 2008 the first release, or initial operating capability, will provide an early demonstration of open architecture and infrastructure arrangements. In 2009 a second, final operating capability release will deliver the functional equivalent of the final sonar 2076 Stage 4 software. Due in mid-2009 the third phase, known as enhanced operating capability, will provide additional functionality and for the first time will add a long towed-array processing capability.

The sonar is a highly modular, open system and is composed from over 400 software modules. This fine level of granularity delivers an unprecedented level of openness and continues Thales UK's tradition for excellence in all engineering disciplines.

Interesting facts

* The processing power involved in the 2076 sonar is equivalent to 400 modern laptop computers.
* The new generation technology will be 25% smaller than Stage 4, freeing up space for new sonar capability.
* Because of the use of innovative design and COTS technology, Sonar 2076 will be significantly cheaper than the Stage 4.

About Thales UK and Thales

Thales UK is a major electronics and systems group serving defence, aerospace, security and services markets. Thales employs 9,000 staff in the UK, based at more than 50 locations. In 2006 Thales UK's revenues were over £1 bn.

Thales Group is a leading international electronics and systems group, serving defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide, supported by a comprehensive services offering. The group's civil and military businesses develop in parallel to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations.

Leveraging a global network of high-level engineers, Thales offers a capability unmatched around the world to develop and deploy mission critical systems. Thales employs 70,000 people in 50 countries and generated revenues of £7 bn in 2006, with a record order book of over £14 bn.