Ultra Electronics installs hull mounted sonar on HMS Portland09 April 2020

Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate HMS Portland has been fitted with a ‘next generation’ Hull Mounted Sonar Type 2150 (pictured) from Ultra Electronics Command & Sonar Systems, as part of a wider refit to the Royal Navy’s frigates.

The new sonar, which replaces the legacy Sonar Type 2050 that has been in Royal Navy service since the 1990s, incorporates a user interface to improve operator effectiveness and usability.

The digital control of the outboard array is said to minimise interference, reduce cabling, maximise reliability and extend maintenance intervals to at least five years.

The sonar will be fitted to eight of the Royal Navy Type 23 frigates. Ultra has also been awarded the contract to supply the sonar to the first three Royal Navy Type 26 frigates currently under construction.

Mike Williams, MD of Ultra Electronics Command & Sonar Systems, comments: “Reaching this significant milestone has been key for Ultra. With a number of significant changes from the Sonar 2050 system it replaces, the project team has designed and developed a system that simplifies user operability and significantly reduces life cycle costs and in board footprint. They have truly excelled themselves”.

Ultra has also developed two smaller and lighter weight variants of the Type 2150 Hull Mount Sonar for naval vessels up to 1,000 tonnes and 2,000 tonnes, respectively.

Adam Offord

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