Thales to support French Navy NH90 FLASH sonars
Thales has announced that it has been awarded a contract by the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA), in the name of the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA), to support 14 FLASH dipping sonars on the French Navy's 27 NH90 NFH helicopters.
The two year contract, announced 25 October, will see Thales conduct an array of on-demand and fixed-fee services delivered on a local basis to ensure a rapid response, and will contribute to the operational readiness of the aircraft.
The French Navy’s FLASH sonar-equipped NH90 NFH helicopters carry out antisubmarine warfare missions in conjunction with the navy's FREMM frigates.
Benoit Plantier, managing director of Thales Underwater Systems, said he was ‘delighted with this success, which is also Thales's first through-life support contract for the NH90 NFH helicopters in service with the French Navy. Drawing on its solid experience in through-life support for anti-submarine warfare systems, Thales is able to offer this type of service for other navies equipped with the FLASH sonar.’
Thales developed the FLASH sonar as the primary anti-submarine warfare sensor system for installation on maritime surveillance helicopters. It was designed to counter the threat of quiet submarines operating either in deep or littoral waters, where reverberation and traffic noise make detection particularly difficult.
The system has been installed on a range of helicopter fleets to date in France (NH90 NFH), the UK (Merlin EH101), Norway (NH90), the US (MH60-R), Sweden (NH90) and the UAE (Cougar).
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Royal Navy helicopter crews transfer control of UAS in European first]()
Royal Navy helicopter crews transfer control of UAS in European first
Using technology supplied by QinetiQ, two Royal Navy helicopter crews successfully exchanged control of a UAS while in flight.
-
![Leonardo wins Canadian helicopter upgrade programme]()
Leonardo wins Canadian helicopter upgrade programme
The upgrade contract will ensure that the Candian helicopters are compliant with future technological requirements.
-
![Guatemala receives Bell Subaru helicopters]()
Guatemala receives Bell Subaru helicopters
The latest version of the Bell 412 helicopter has improved performance and weight capacity and will support Guatemala in various missions.
-
![Algeria expresses interest in AW249 while AW139 deal remains in limbo]()
Algeria expresses interest in AW249 while AW139 deal remains in limbo
Leonardo and Algeria hope to seal the AW139 deal in 2023 while Italy and the North African country further strengthen defence ties.
-
![Nigeria to receive new attack helicopters]()
Nigeria to receive new attack helicopters
The Nigerian Air Force is to receive more than 50 attack air assets to strengthen its ability to fight insecurity within its borders.
-
![Royal Navy upgrades Merlin helicopters]()
Royal Navy upgrades Merlin helicopters
The Royal Navy's amphibious helicopters have received an improved defensive aid suit and Merlin pilots can now train in a synthetic training environment.
