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Design of Uncrewed Surface Vessels for Anti-Submarine Warfare
Thales and Dutch Naval Design are developing twelve-meter autonomous surface platforms equipped with dipping sonar systems for naval defense.
www.thalesgroup.com
© Ministry of Defence
Dutch Naval Design and Thales have commenced the design and integration of Compact FLASH dipping sonar systems into new 12-meter uncrewed surface vessels for anti-submarine warfare. The initiative provides the Royal Netherlands Navy with autonomous surface platforms to extend acoustic detection ranges during maritime defense operations.
Collaborative Engineering for Maritime Operations
The project is executed by the USV Alliance, a coalition operating under Dutch Naval Design (DND), which incorporates the Ministry of Defence, commercial industry, and academic research institutions. The operational challenge lies in extending the acoustic detection range of naval vessels without compromising the position of the primary frigate. Cooperation across the USV Alliance provides the complementary engineering, hydrodynamic, and systems integration expertise required to construct a reliable platform capable of autonomous maritime operations.
System Architecture and Payload Integration
The core of the technical solution is a 12-meter uncrewed surface vessel designed specifically to carry and operate the Compact FLASH dipping sonar, manufactured by Thales Underwater Systems France. DND is responsible for the structural and hydrodynamic design of the vessel, ensuring the platform can support the mechanical deployment and retrieval of the sonar payload. Thales is responsible for adapting the existing Compact FLASH system for autonomous operation. Operating on a system level, the dipping sonar lowers an acoustic transducer into the water column via a motorized winch to transmit and receive low-frequency active sonar pulses, enabling deep-water target detection.
© Thales
Vessel Deployment and Network Integration
These uncrewed maritime systems will be deployed as forward-operating assets directly from the new ASW frigates. The implementation phase requires DND to integrate the sonar array and autonomous navigation suites into the 12-meter hull from the initial design stage. The system will interface with the frigate's combat management infrastructure, allowing operators on the primary vessel to process acoustic data transmitted by the USV in real time.
Subsurface Tracking Applications and Tactical Impact
Targeting naval defense and anti-submarine warfare applications, the USVs will primarily conduct subsurface target detection and tracking. By deploying the USV ahead of the fleet, the navy can establish an active acoustic perimeter while the crewed frigate maintains operational silence. This mechanism extends the tactical range of the maritime forces and increases the probability of detecting submerged threats. The integration of uncrewed platforms improves process stability during continuous monitoring missions and enhances the survivability of the crewed assets by physically separating the active sonar transmission source from the frigate.
Edited by Aishwarya Mambet, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.
www.thalesgroup.com
Dutch Naval Design and Thales have commenced the design and integration of Compact FLASH dipping sonar systems into new 12-meter uncrewed surface vessels for anti-submarine warfare. The initiative provides the Royal Netherlands Navy with autonomous surface platforms to extend acoustic detection ranges during maritime defense operations.
Collaborative Engineering for Maritime Operations
The project is executed by the USV Alliance, a coalition operating under Dutch Naval Design (DND), which incorporates the Ministry of Defence, commercial industry, and academic research institutions. The operational challenge lies in extending the acoustic detection range of naval vessels without compromising the position of the primary frigate. Cooperation across the USV Alliance provides the complementary engineering, hydrodynamic, and systems integration expertise required to construct a reliable platform capable of autonomous maritime operations.
System Architecture and Payload Integration
The core of the technical solution is a 12-meter uncrewed surface vessel designed specifically to carry and operate the Compact FLASH dipping sonar, manufactured by Thales Underwater Systems France. DND is responsible for the structural and hydrodynamic design of the vessel, ensuring the platform can support the mechanical deployment and retrieval of the sonar payload. Thales is responsible for adapting the existing Compact FLASH system for autonomous operation. Operating on a system level, the dipping sonar lowers an acoustic transducer into the water column via a motorized winch to transmit and receive low-frequency active sonar pulses, enabling deep-water target detection.
© Thales
Vessel Deployment and Network Integration
These uncrewed maritime systems will be deployed as forward-operating assets directly from the new ASW frigates. The implementation phase requires DND to integrate the sonar array and autonomous navigation suites into the 12-meter hull from the initial design stage. The system will interface with the frigate's combat management infrastructure, allowing operators on the primary vessel to process acoustic data transmitted by the USV in real time.
Subsurface Tracking Applications and Tactical Impact
Targeting naval defense and anti-submarine warfare applications, the USVs will primarily conduct subsurface target detection and tracking. By deploying the USV ahead of the fleet, the navy can establish an active acoustic perimeter while the crewed frigate maintains operational silence. This mechanism extends the tactical range of the maritime forces and increases the probability of detecting submerged threats. The integration of uncrewed platforms improves process stability during continuous monitoring missions and enhances the survivability of the crewed assets by physically separating the active sonar transmission source from the frigate.
Edited by Aishwarya Mambet, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.
www.thalesgroup.com
