The CAPTAS-4 VDS is now recognized as one of the best anti-submarine warfare (ASW) sensor available today. Its latest customers include the Spanish Navy (F-110 frigate), the US Navy (Constellation-class frigate) and the Hellenic Navy (FDI frigate). It may now become available as a modular, plug-and-play solution.
At the DALO Industry Days 2023, Thales and CUBEDIN (as well as SH Defence) unveiled a new modular solution for the CAPTAS-4. They are proposing it to the Royal Danish Navy as part of an upgrade program for the in-service Absalon-class of frigates.
The requirement dates back to November 2020 when the Danish Ministry of Defence’s Materiel and Procurement Agency launched a tender for the acquisition of low-frequency towed array sonar systems (TAS) for the Royal Danish Navy two Absalon-class frigates.
Speaking to Naval News at the DALO Industry Days 2023, Danny Ingemann, CEO of CUBEDIN explained:
“CUBEDIN is a software company, integrating modular payloads to navy ships […] CUBEDINN is very much a configuration software and an integration software that allow modular payloads to be integrated on the ship. That’s the whole idea: To make the life of the crew easier”
Naval News learned during the event that Germany’s Atlas Elektronik is also proposing a modular VDS solution (likely based on the ACTAS sonar) but they are not teaming with CUBEDIN.
About CAPTAS-4 VDS
The Combined Active Passive Towed Array Sonar (CAPTAS) 4 is a is a Low Frequency Active Sonar (LFAS) which consists of both active and passive sonar arrays.
CAPTAS-4 already equips the FREMM frigates operated by France, Italy, Morocco, and Egypt, while the Sonar 2087 system – which also uses the CAPTAS-4 towed body and handling system – is fitted to Type 23 frigates serving with the Royal Navy and the Chilean Navy.
The latest CAPTAS-4 Compact system – which significantly reduces the weight and footprint of the handling system – has already been selected by three navies. The FDI ships being built by Naval Group for France and Greece are to receive an independent tow variant separate active towed body and passive receive array; Spain’s new F110 frigates, being built by Navantia, will be equipped with a dependent tow version in which the receive array is attached to, and deployed with, the towed body on a single tow line.
The latest CAPTAS-4 customer is the US Navy for its future Constellation-class frigates. The decision to procure CAPTAS-4 – which is being supplied to shipbuilder Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) through Thales-owned Advanced Acoustic Concepts – came after the US Navy decided to end development of the Raytheon AN/SQS-62 Dual-mode Array Transmitter (DART) VDS, and cancel the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission module originally intended to equip the Littoral Combat Ship. The systems for the US Navy are already in production and have passed Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) three month ago at the Thales site in Brest.
About Absalon-class frigates
Commissioned in 2005, Absalon-class ships ships are a hybrid of frigate and military support ship with multiple operational capabilities. They can be converted from a combat ship with the firepower of a conventional frigate to a hospital ship in a single day.
The vessels were originally defined as flexible support ships (combat support ships). In October 2020, HDMS Absalon (F341) and Esbern Snare (F342) were reclassified as frigates, in order to start fulfilling ASW missions.
The Absalon-class has a full-load displacement of 6,300 tons. The ship is 137 meters long, has a maximum beam of 19.5 meters and a draft of 6.3 meters.
The ship has five standard flex container bays in the gun deck in the central part of the ship. Two modules each carry eight Harpoon Block II surface-to-surface missiles.
The three surface-to-air missile modules each carry a 12-cell mk6 vertical launcher, allowing the ship to carry 36 RIM -162 Raytheon Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM).
The Absalon-class is also equipped with 2×4 Harpoon AShMs, 127mm cannon, 2×2 MU90 torpedoes and 2x35mm Millenium CIWS.
Sensor equipment includes;
– SMART-S Mk2 3D air surveillance radar,
– 3x Saab CEROS 200 fire control radar
– Terma Scanter 6002 navigation radar,
– Atlas ASO 94 Sonar
– ES-3071 Electronic support measures
