Once a threat has been detected, action must be taken to neutralise it. Torpedoes remain the most effective weapons we have against submarines.
Lightweight torpedoes can be launched by surface combatants, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft. Heavyweight torpedoes are typically deployed by submarines.
Despite their complexity, lightweight torpedoes are the underwater weapon of choice . They are, however, complex because they have to pack range, speed, agility and lethality into a small hull. They also have to withstand extremely harsh environments.
Thales design, develop and produce acoustic heads for the Eurotorp MU90. This type of torpedo consists essentially of a sonar (acoustic head), a control guidance system, a battery system, an electric motor module and a warhead, all designed to operate under extremely demanding conditions. It is manufactured by the Eurotorp consortium comprising WASS/Finmeccanica (50%), DCNI (26%) and Thales (24%). To date, over 1,000 MU90 torpedoes have been produced for NATO and other allied navies.