Thales Group has entered into a significant multi-product contract with Ultra Maritime to enhance the French defense procurement agency’s capabilities in anti-submarine warfare. This partnership will see Ultra Maritime supply an array of advanced sonobuoys, including the newly developed AN/SSQ-62E DICASS, AN/SSQ-53G DIFAR, and G-size AN/SSQ-536G bathythermograph sonobuoys.
The deployment of these cutting-edge technologies, which boast enhanced acoustic output, is expected to bolster France’s ability to effectively detect, localize, and classify undersea threats. As the importance of undersea domain awareness continues to escalate in the face of increasingly stealthy submarine and uncrewed threats, the advanced performance characteristics of these sonobuoys may prove crucial in identifying potential dangers lurking beneath the surface.
Ultra Maritime highlighted the significance of these advancements, stating, “As undersea domain awareness becomes increasingly critical, and submarine and uncrewed threats more and more stealthy, enhancements in sonobuoy performance make the difference between detecting an undersea threat and missing it.”
The AN/SSQ-62E DICASS is engineered specifically for the detection and location of submarines. It operates by sending out sound pulses and analyzing resultant echoes. Capable of reaching depths of up to 1,500 feet (460 meters), this sonobuoy has a weight of 36 pounds (16.3 kilograms), making it versatile for deployment from both aircraft and naval vessels.
Similarly, the AN/SSQ-53G DIFAR offers a dual function by integrating directional and wide-band acoustic sensing within a single unit. This model also includes GPS capabilities for precise location tracking, weighs 21 pounds (9.5 kilograms), and is operational at depths of up to 1,000 feet (305 meters). Its adaptability for deployment from various platforms ensures that it can respond effectively in a range of operational scenarios.
Adding to the suite, Ultra Maritime is set to supply the G-size AN/SSQ-536G bathythermograph sonobuoys. These are particularly designed for use on rotary-wing platforms and unmanned aerial vehicles, where space and weight considerations are paramount. The SSQ-536G excels in creating a temperature profile by measuring and recording water temperature down to a depth of 800 meters (2,625 feet) in under 10 minutes. It can even be deployed at speeds of up to 370 knots (425 miles/685 kilometers per hour), thereby maximizing operational efficiency.
Through this new contract, Thales Group and Ultra Maritime are taking a significant step towards enhancing France’s maritime defense capabilities in an ever-evolving threat landscape.
