Thin-line towed arrays on uncrewed vessels deliver more cost-effective sonar, says SEA
The KraitArray thin-line towed array sonar solution is a way of providing high technology at lower cost. (Photo: SEA)
Miniaturisation of technology opens up radical sensing technologies to smaller navies under submarine threat, according to SEA sonar expert.
Historically, towed array sonar has been a transformative technology, giving beyond-the-horizon awareness of the undersea environment. But such towed arrays have traditionally been large, bulky pieces of equipment, requiring larger crewed vessels to use them.
Now though, technological miniaturisation is producing towed arrays that are small enough for light crewed vessels and even for the new generation of uncrewed vessels to use.
Chris Tucker, sonar product technical authority at SEA, recently explained the advances in towed array technology at the UDT conference in Oslo. Shephard asked him why navies should be looking into it.
“Towed array sonar has always been a
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![HII delivers first two Lionfish SUUVs to US Navy]()
HII delivers first two Lionfish SUUVs to US Navy
The SUUVs could be part of a programme that scales to 200 vehicles.
-
![HALO programme decommissioned by US Navy in favour of LRASM upgrades]()
HALO programme decommissioned by US Navy in favour of LRASM upgrades
The programme was due to be at full operational capability in the US Navy by 2031, but has been pulled over cost and timeline concerns.
-
![Indian Navy’s next generation OPV fleet advances with keel-laying of third vessel]()
Indian Navy’s next generation OPV fleet advances with keel-laying of third vessel
The ship is the third in a fleet of 11, with the first vessel due to be delivered in 2026.
