04 January 2012

HMS Kent, one of the Royal Navy's (RN's) most advanced Type 23 frigates, has been fitted with Thales UK's Sonar 2087 system as part of a multi-million pound upgrade to her systems and operational capability. Kent now becomes the seventh Type 23 frigate to be upgraded with the Sonar 2087 system.
HMS Kent will emerge as one of the most capable anti-submarine warfare frigates in the world..."
Having entered dry dock in November 2010, Kent has now left the dockyard fresh from a comprehensive upgrade to her systems and equipment, and sailed under the famous Forth Bridges to begin her sea trials.

The ship has benefitted from a £24m overhaul of her hull, upper deck and complex weapons systems. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) says that the fitting of the new active towed-array sonar gives the Type 23 frigate "phenomenal capability" and makes her a "world-leading anti-submarine warfare platform".

This type of frigate can also carry the Merlin helicopter, which is fitted with the Thales FLASH dipping sonar. The combination of 2087 and FLASH makes the Type 23 a formidable anti-submarine warfare (ASW) platform.
Sonar 2087 is a towed-array system that enables Type 23 frigates to hunt the latest submarines at considerable distances and locate them beyond the range from which they can launch an attack.
The system is a low-frequency active sonar, consisting of both active and passive sonar arrays. The system is manufactured at Thales's sites in Cheadle Heath in Manchester and Templecombe in Somerset in the UK, and in Brest, France.
Training at sea will see Kent conduct many inspections, exercises and trials off the east coast of Scotland.
Speaking of the trials, the ship's commanding officer, Commander Ben Ripley, says: "HMS Kent will emerge as one of the most capable anti-submarine warfare frigates in the world, and today is our first step in realising this goal."
"Recent operational deployments using Sonar 2087 against actual 'threat platforms' continue to show this to be a very capable ASW system, giving these platforms a significant capability enhancement."
"HMS Kent will soon enter service alongside the other six Sonar 2087-fitted platforms further extending the Royal Navy's ASW capability."
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About Thales and Thales UK
Thales is a global technology leader for the defence & security and the aerospace & transport markets. In 2010 the company generated revenues of £11.2 billion (€13.1 billion), with 68,000 employees in 50 countries. With its 22,500 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers as local partners.
Thales UK employs 8,000 staff based at 35 locations. In 2010 Thales UK's revenues were around £1.5 billion.
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