Sonar 2087

The Sonar 2087 (sometimes shortened to S2087) is a towed array sonar developed by Thales Underwater Systems (TUS). Manufactured in the United Kingdom, it is the British variant of the company's CAPTAS-4 manufactured in Brest, France, and part of its CAPTAS (Combined Active and Passive Towed Array Sonar) line of products.[1] The Sonar 2087 replaced the older Sonar 2031 in the Royal Navy and equips eight Type 23 frigates. It is also expected to equip the Royal Navy's Type 26 frigates currently in production.[2] The S2087 is also fitted on Chilean Type 23 frigates acquired from the Royal Navy.

The S2087 is a Low Frequency Active Sonar (LFAS) and consists of both active and passive sonar arrays. Thales describes the system as "a towed-array that enables Type 23 frigates to hunt the latest submarines at considerable distances and locate them beyond the range at which they [submarines] can launch an attack".[3]

HMS Sutherland was the first British vessel to be equipped with the S2087. The latter's first operational test after its integration took place during the "Auriga" deployment in 2010, for which HMS Suntherland was chosen to act as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Commander. The exercise involved American, British, Canadian and French naval assets.[4]

A new programme named Spearhead was launched in October 2022 to further develop the Sonar 2087 by adding new active and passive variable depth sonar capability to the existing system on Type 23 frigates.[5][6]

See also

References

  1. ^ "CAPTAS Family". Thales Group. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  2. ^ Sweetman, Bill (15 October 2012). "Low Risk, Flexibility Drive Type 26 Design". Aviation Week & Space Technology. Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  3. ^ HMS Sutherlands sonar impresses on first major test, thalesgroup.com, 2010 [dead link‍]
  4. ^ Exercise Auriga, defpro.com Archived July 14, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "UK Spearhead plans accelerated capability insertion for Sonar 2087". Janes.com. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  6. ^ Allison, George (25 October 2022). "Royal Navy looking to quickly upgrade sonar on frigates". Retrieved 15 March 2023.


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