FLASH sonar: for anti-submarine excellence

High-performing dipping sonar, delivering accurate detection and localization for rapid decision-making

Defence
Naval
Anti submarine warfare

Advanced dipping sonars must enable navies to detect ultra-quiet submarines in a single dip. FLASH features long range detection driving rapid decisions and operational superiority.

STRENGTHS OF THE FLASH

Outstanding performance

Thales’s FLASH dipping-sonar family meets navies’ needs across the full water column, in littoral or deep waters. Its low frequency operation enables long range detection, and its large frequency bandwidth excels at filtering out clutter from echoes.
Field-proven reliability

First deployed in 2002, more than 500 FLASH systems are now in operation or or on order by 18 navies worldwide. FLASH is the international benchmark in dipping sonar, certified on 6 helicopter platforms. It offers a mature solution that enhances the scope and effectiveness of navies’ missions.
Ready for collaborative combat

Compatible frequencies and software make FLASH interoperable, at both tactical and mission levels, with the CAPTAS variable depth sonar and the SonoFlash sonobuoy. Data formats are compatible to allow easy data sharing with other platforms. This enhances situational awareness and enables faster decision-making.

FLASH: enabling faster decisions

With over 500 systems and certification on 6 leading anti-submarine warfare (ASW) platforms, navies trust FLASH to meet their needs in both deep and shallow waters. Able to perform long-range detection with very short dip cycles, it facilitates collaborative combat through real-time processing and easy integration with other systems. Together, these enable rapid area coverage and accurate situational awareness.

Facing an ever-growing threat from advanced submarines, navies are decisively turning to Thales for solutions. FLASH’s long detection range, large frequency bandwidth, very deep immersion depth and short dip cycle time enable rapid decision-making. FLASH meets navies’ needs for collaborative combat through platform flexibility, broad interoperability and integration with other systems.

CAPABILITIES OF THE FLASH

FLASH has a reeling speed of up to 8 m/s with automated deployment and recovery – resulting in very short dip cycles. Navies gain exceptional area coverage rates, especially when FLASH is combined with the BlueTracker sonobuoy processing system – increasing detection probability and mission tempo. It also reduces vulnerability for naval crews and helicopters, protecting human lives and valuable airborne assets.

FLASH can be deployed at depths up to 750 m, enabling navies to optimise their ASW operations. The wideband ‘ring’ design of its active transmission part provides optimal and panoramic coverage of the water column, even in shallow waters – an environment especially challenging for navies. Together, these features drastically reduce sonar blind areas ensuring that all areas are monitored, and increasing the detection of elusive threats.

FLASH uses advanced algorithms to help navies detect, classify and track submarines. It can be teamed with other processing systems, such as Thales's BlueTracker and BlueScan, providing a powerful tool for situational awareness. In addition, operator aids, designed around navies’ operational needs, display a wide range of relevant intelligence. Together, these enable rapid decisions based on accurate information.

Low-frequency operation, at 3–5 kHz, and wideband transmission enable navies to operate FLASH at low-frequencies. This delivers strong performance over long ranges and in cluttered noise conditions. In addition, platform-tuned noise cancelling and optimised beamforming filter out helicopter rotor noise. This enables operational superiority, clearer target classification, and the ability to react faster from safer distances.

The US Navy, the French Navy, the Royal Navy, and 15 other navies trust FLASH for its outstanding performance on both heavy and light platforms. Its compact variant features a drive and cable optimized for lighter helicopters. FLASH is certified for leading ASW platforms such as the MH-60R, NH90 "Caiman", AW101, AW159, SL300 and Super Puma.