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Video: Thales Latest Sonar Solutions at NAVDEX 2015: SeeMapper, Captas-1 & BlueWatcher

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NAVDEX 2015 - Thales
 
 
 
Video - Thales Latest Sonar Solutions at NAVDEX 2015: SeeMapper, Captas-1 & BlueWatcher
 
At NAVDEX 2015 naval defense exhibition currently held in Abu Dhabi, Thales is showcasing its latest sonar solutions:
- The SeeMapper, a turnkey system providing continuous, high-resolution mapping of the sea-bed using a towed synthetic aperture sonar.
- The BlueWatcher hull-mounted sonar and its associated towed array sonar, the Captas-1, represent a new range of compact sonars for surface combatants and patrol vessels displacing 300 tonnes or more.
     
DCNS is a world leader in naval defence and an innovator in energy. As a naval prime contractor, shipbuilder and systems integrator, DCNS combines resources and expertise spanning the naval defence value chain and entire system lifecycles. DCNS delivers innovative solutions from integrated warships to strategic systems, equipment, services and new energy solutions. DCNS participates to NAVDEX and IDEX exhibitions in Abu Dhabi from 22 to 26 February 2015. It is a chance for DCNS to showcase its expertise in this key export market and to meet key players.Thales SeeMapper towed synthetic aperture sonar (T-SAS)
     
Thales SeeMapper

The emergence and proliferation of new threats such as sea mines and acts of piracy have created a need for greater protection of the waterways. To counter these threats, maritime authorities need a system to detect, classify and locate objects below the surface. These maritime authorities must therefore maintain regular surveillance of the situation below the surface in their areas of responsibility in order to secure shipping lanes, straits, maritime approaches and the access channels to ports and naval bases at all times.

Offshore operators also need to monitor underwater installations to check that systems are operating correctly and to carry out maintenance. Thales SeeMapper is Thales's response to these multiple requirements. It comprises a vessel deploying a real-time imagery chain to maintain continuous surveillance of the underwater environment, with a towed synthetic aperture sonar (T-SAS) performing high-quality mapping of the sea-bed.

The vessel is also equipped with a fully automatic system to launch and recover the towed sonar. This system has been qualified for operation in rough sea states. A command-and-control system is used for mission planning and management and to automatically analyse the data gathered.

Thales SeeMapper is a high-performance, affordable turnkey solution intended for defence forces, maritime security agencies and private operators needing to maintain permanent surveillance of their underwater installations (offshore platforms, oil & gas installations, wind farms, marine turbines, etc.). With its simple, automated deployment procedure, Thales SeeMapper requires only minimal training and no specialised skills for launching and recovering the towed sonar array.
     
Video: Thales latest sonars at NAVDEX 2015
     
Thales BlueWatcher and Captas-1

Thales latest range of sonars showcased at NAVDEX 2015 also includes first the Thales BlueWatcher, a compact hull-mounted sonar that is easy to install (plug & play) and delivers excellent performance: this new sonar is based on the same technology as the FLASH dipping sonar for helicopters, which is internationally acclaimed for its operational performance and is in service with the US Navy, the UK Royal Navy and the French Navy.

Thales presents also the Captas-1, the latest addition to the Captas family: this single ceramic ring configuration uses the same technological building blocks as the Captas-2 and Captas-4, which are in service with several NATO countries and have made this product family the worldwide benchmark in low-frequency variable-depth sonars. With its allelectric reeling system, the compact, lightweight Captas-1 array is easy to deploy from a smaller vessel.

Thales has developed this high-performance sonar suite specifically for small surface combatants and patrol vessels, demonstrating the company's ability to provide innovative, cost-effective ways for naval forces all over the world to better protect their nations' sovereign interests and achieve an operational advantage over underwater threats.

With Thales's expanded offering of high added-value sonar suites, all vessel types can now be equipped with sonar systems that are tailored to their missions and deliver outstanding performance under all weather conditions and in all sea states.