Drawing on vast expertise,
Thales designs and integrates complete mine countermeasures systems. Wideband
and SAS synthetic aperture sonars can detect and locate even the stealthiest
mines.
As integrator of over half
the world’s in-service fleet of Mine hunters, our added value is in our
understanding of Mine Warfare operations, and the coherence of our MW systems:
not only do we detect, classify, identify mines and mine-like objects, but we
assess and measure MW risk, and quantify confidence that there are no mines
remaining.
The TSM 2022 MkIII Hull Mounted Sonar utilises Sea-proven wideband
technology directly derived from French, Dutch and Belgian CMT Class MCMV refit
programmes. It offers Compact 3D stabilization gear fully compatible with
existing platforms, most modern data processing and operator aids. TSM 2022 Mk
III is equipped with the latest technology
necessary to counter the modern mine threat in difficult environmental
conditions like shallow waters.
The mandatory requirement of the DUBM44 / TSM 2054 SAS is to make the
routes safe from the mine threat. So the CONcept of OPerationS (CONOPS) is the
following:
to achieve regular surveys with a very high
resolution specific MCM SSS which maps the sea bed
to compare the new SSS/SAS images with
reference SSS/SAS images
if a suspicious object is discovered, to assign
a Mine Counter Measure Vessel (MCMV) with HMS for exploratory and if necessary
clearance tasks.
Latest references:
The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has
selected Thales Underwater Systems for the DUBM44 programme aimed at replacing
the mine warfare system designed to maintain surveillance over the approaches
to Brest and protecting the SSBN fleet, and to conduct power projection and
fleet support missions.
In Malaysia, Thales is responsible for the
upgrade of two Lerici-class minehunters with service entry of the new type 2022
Mk3 wideband hull-mounted sonar.
The Ministry of Defence of India has awarded
Thales the programme for the capability upgrade of four Karwar Minesweeper
Vessels of the Indian Navy.
Thales has been awarded prime contractorship
for the modernisation of 4 Bedok class mine-countermeasure vessels for the
Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)