Sonar 2150 passes sea acceptance trials
UK RN Type 23 frigate HMS Portland. (Photo: Ultra.)
Ultra’s 2150 hull-mounted sonar replaces the Sonar Type 2050, which has been in Royal Navy (RN) service since the 1990s.
The Sonar 2150 system from Ultra Electronics completed first-of-class sea acceptance trials in June 2021 aboard the UK RN Type 23 frigate HMS Portland.
Ultra announced on 30 July that the success of the trials represented a ‘further validation’ of the new hull-mounted sonar.
Trials took place over multiple days at sea, detecting and tracking a target and proving its passive and active performance.
The RN will fit the type 2150 sonar onto its Type 23 anti-submarine warfare frigates.
The new sonar features a user interface designed to ‘improve operator effectiveness’ and usability. The outboard array is controlled digitally, minimising cabling requirements and extending the time between maintenance intervals.
Sonar 2150 is part of Ultra’s ‘Sea Searcher’ range of hull-mounted sonar systems. The company has also developed two lighter-weight versions of the type 2150 designed for vessels up to 1,000t and 2,000t.
In addition to installation on the Type 23 frigates, the type 2150 sonar will equip the future Type 26 City-class frigates.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Ireland orders Thales towed array sonar]()
Ireland orders Thales towed array sonar
Ireland has a large Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which extends 370km (200nm) offshore and contains 75% of the transatlantic subsea cables which carry $10 trillion in financial transactions daily. The country is investing to increase protection and surveillance of these waters.
-
![South Korea advances next-gen naval concepts for future force needs]()
South Korea advances next-gen naval concepts for future force needs
HHI and Hanwha Ocean outline highly autonomous and unmanned-enabled designs as the ROKN explores force structure for the 2030s and beyond.
-
![US representatives plan to invest $1.6 billion in US Coast Guard inventory in FY2026]()
US representatives plan to invest $1.6 billion in US Coast Guard inventory in FY2026
The FY26 Homeland Security Bill Markup of the House Committee on Appropriations included resources for the procurement of ships, aircraft and unmanned systems.
-
![US Navy seeks industry partners to address pressing research needs]()
US Navy seeks industry partners to address pressing research needs
The Office of Naval Research will host an Industry Engagement Day in August aiming at building new partnerships and advancing its science and technology initiatives in multiple areas.
-
![Raytheon awarded $1.2 billion in contracts for AN/SPY-6(V) radars for the US Navy]()
Raytheon awarded $1.2 billion in contracts for AN/SPY-6(V) radars for the US Navy
Under the most recent contract, the US Navy will receive four additional AN/SPY-6(V) radars, increasing the number of radars under contract to 42. The radars are considered key for expanding the navy’s capability for air defence.
