Royal Navy locates US sonar lost at sea
The UK Royal Navy’s Sandown class minehunter HMS Bangor has used its Thales 2093 Variable Depth Sonar to locate a US Navy AQS-24 towed sonar when it became detached from a MH-53 Sea Dragon helicopter during an exercise.
The successful detection of the towed sonar saved more than $1 million for the US Navy. The crew of Bangor were taking part in a major Anglo-French-US minehunting exercise in the Gulf when the incident occurred.
Following its detection by the 2093, the sonar was then retreived by a US dive team using its Seabotix underwater robot.
The 2093 sonar is a variable-depth, multi-mode minehunting sonar. It can detect and classify very small objects on the seabed and in the water. As part of the Sonar 2093 Capability Sustainment Programme, the Royal Navy is set to receive wideband capability, which will further enhance the performance of this sonar system.
Phil Jones, head of Thales UK’s maritime business, said: ‘This is a fantastic example of what our minehunting sonars can achieve today. The current performance of Sonar 2093 is outstanding, but I’m sure the Royal Navy will be delighted with the improvements they will receive through the Capability Sustainment Programme. I’m glad that the US Navy was able to get its towed sonar back. A real team effort.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![SAHA 2026: Aselsan seeks to replicate Turkey’s UAV success at sea]()
SAHA 2026: Aselsan seeks to replicate Turkey’s UAV success at sea
Turkey’s defence electronics company has unveiled two new uncrewed naval systems at SAHA 2026 – but the harder test will be converting it into an export success.
-
![Brazil’s naval ambitions now firmly anchored in Europe]()
Brazil’s naval ambitions now firmly anchored in Europe
With the Tamandaré frigate commissioned and a second batch under negotiation, Brazil is leveraging European partnerships to position itself as South America’s premier maritime power without surrendering industrial sovereignty.
-
![HHI poised to start submarine production in Peru pending election outcome]()
HHI poised to start submarine production in Peru pending election outcome
South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries confirmed to Shephard that the company is awaiting the Peruvian government’s decision to allow it to move forward with the production of the HDS-1500 submarine.
-
![How the Hormuz mine threat exposes potential Baltic MCM shortfalls]()
How the Hormuz mine threat exposes potential Baltic MCM shortfalls
Ageing Baltic vessels and an absence of active minehunting vessel programmes in the region have been put under the spotlight in the recent conflict.
