Lockheed Martin selects Thales to supply ASW sonars
ALFS dipping sonar on MH-60R helicopter. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
Thales has signed a contract with Lockheed Martin to supply airborne anti-submarine warfare sonars for the MH-60R helicopter.
Lockheed Martin has selected Thales as a tier-one supplier of up to 55 airborne anti-submarine warfare (ASW) sonar units. The sonars will be supplied to the USN primarily.
The Airborne Low-Frequency Sonar (ALFS) dipping sonars will be installed on the MH-60R helicopter. The navies of India, Greece and Denmark will receive the sonar system as they are buying the MH-60R via the FMS programme.
ALFS is capable of detecting, classifying, prosecuting, harassing or attacking submarines.
The system functions as a low-frequency active sonar and has been designed for the initial detection and tracking of submarines.
It offers a long detection range, a wide coverage rate and a low false alarm level, in both deep and coastal waters.
ALFS can be used autonomously to clear a particular area or as a complementary ASW asset to vessels for target relocation and attack.
The first 42 sonars will be delivered over the next five years and the remaining 13 systems are expected to be delivered in the sixth year.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Five years on: where could opportunities emerge next for AUKUS Pillar II?]()
Five years on: where could opportunities emerge next for AUKUS Pillar II?
Payload commonality, combat systems and electronic warfare are emerging as likely priorities as the trilateral partnership balances building submarines with sharing industrial ecosystems.
-
![From the Baltic to the Gulf: where USV procurement is heading next]()
From the Baltic to the Gulf: where USV procurement is heading next
Saildrone’s new Copenhagen base is one sign of a larger shift, as navies globally turn to uncrewed vessels for surveillance and mine clearance.
-
![Israeli Navy looks to expand as war reshapes future force requirements]()
Israeli Navy looks to expand as war reshapes future force requirements
Israel’s navy is preparing for a larger and more technically diverse role, but its ambitions could be impacted by supply chain restrictions, accelerating demand for domestic naval production as well as autonomous maritime capabilities.
-
![Quantum sensing gathers pace as navies eye undersea advantage]()
Quantum sensing gathers pace as navies eye undersea advantage
As AI dominates defence conversations, industry increasingly points to quantum sensing as the technology set to change submarine and uncrewed underwater vehicle operations.
