Cutting-Edge Variable-Depth Sonar: Giving Navies the Unmatched Advantage in Anti-Submarine Warfare
The threat from submarines: greater now than at any time in the past
Thirty years ago, only major navies operated submarine fleets. That picture has now changed beyond recognition. Since that time, the number of submarines has increased by an eye-watering 350% globally. The threat is diversifying too, with the wider use of midget submarines and the rise of underwater drones. In addition, recent years have seen the return of high-intensity conflicts in Europe, especially in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean theatres.
The need for very high-level anti-submarine capability
This backdrop has resulted in a need for very high-level anti-submarine capability for NATO forces and their allies. To achieve it, navies are focused on four clear areas:
- Acquiring the best acoustic detection systems for their missions
- Command of the underwater situation for acoustic and tactical advantage
- Simplifying sonar systems for operators
- Mastering the capability life cycle, from training to scalability, reliability and availability.
Navies are rising to this challenge by seeking high-performing variable-depth sonar (VDS) solutions that can be seamlessly integrated into their fleets. What’s more, they want them to be flexible, interoperable, and designed for increasingly viable collaborative combat.
CAPTAS-4 the most reliable, high performances and mature VDS on the market today
To meet these demands, Thales leverages its strong commitment to innovation and investment in R&D to continually enhance its market-leading CAPTAS-4 VDS. The system benefits from over 60 years of real world, at-sea experience; the company’s extensive and multidisciplinary expertise; and Thales’s close partnerships with navies. This combination enables the integration of user needs into the design making CAPTAS-4 the most reliable and mature VDS available on the market.
To date, Thales has contracted 59 CAPTAS-4 systems with ten navies, including those of France, Italy, and the UK. These systems have demonstrated operational excellence in various settings, from the North Atlantic to the Red Sea. Designed for medium and large frigates, these navies depend on CAPTAS-4 for both deterrence and operational superiority. The US Navy has also adopted the CAPTAS-4 to equip Constellation-class frigates. Thanks to Thales’s strong commitment, supported by its Underwater Services (UWS) teams and American subsidiary, Advanced Acoustic Concepts (AAC), the first CAPTAS-4 sonar was delivered in 2024.
Successful deployment of VDS needs a fully integrated system
A critical factor in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) is detection range – being able to locate a submarine before it enters the zone where it can effectively deploy torpedoes. CAPTAS-4 fully addresses this requirement, by offering ultra-long-range, 360° active and passive surveillance, particularly in high-intensity conflict areas, such as the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
However, high-performing Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) systems require more than just advanced sensors; all components must be cohesively integrated to function seamlessly as a single unit. To achieve this, CAPTAS-4 incorporates a variety of complementary features. These include a modular design for flexible configuration, ease of installation, and straightforward deployment and recovery processes. Additionally, the system offers low-frequency omnidirectional transmission, advanced torpedo alert capabilities, and user-friendly interfaces equipped with 3D analysis tools and chart underlay to enhance situational awareness.
Flexibility: a cornerstone of CAPTAS-4’s design
CAPTAS-4 is not merely a standalone system; It also offers multistatic interoperability with other Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) systems, such as sensors from the CAPTAS family, the Thales Hull-Mounted Sonar (HMS) family, Flash dipping sonar, and the SonoFlash sonobuoys.
Designed for maximum operational flexibility among customer navies, the system also features a smaller variant: CAPTAS-4 COMPACT. This compact version, with its reduced-size winches and electronics, is 20% lighter and has a 50% smaller footprint, all without any compromise in performance. Additionally, it can be deployed and recovered in seconds, significantly faster than competitor systems.
A recognised global standard
Frigates operating CAPTAS-4 have received numerous awards, validating its design in real world, at-sea settings. Notably, during joint US and French naval operations in 2020, 2021, and 2022, the Commander of the sixth fleet of the US Navy presented the ‘Hook’em Award’, for ‘unrivalled ASW performance’ to the participating FREMM Frigates.
Overall, as the need to counter submarine threat intensifies, CAPTAS-4 is recognized as setting a global standard. Its ultra-long-range, 360° active and passive surveillance ensures early detection and response. Combined with its advanced features and user-friendly interfaces, CAPTAS-4 stands out as the highest-performing ASW sonar available on the market today.