Sonardyne has supplied its diver detection sonar technology, Sentinel, for a fleet of offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) under construction in the Far East.
Two ship-fit Sentinels have now been tested and delivered with more to follow, as part of a wider contract to equip each OPV with a fully integrated force-protection capability.
Working with MARSS Group’s NiDAR long range maritime surveillance system, the Sentinels will provide complete underwater domain awareness by detecting unauthorised divers and subsurface vehicles approaching the OPVs and the assets they protect.
Sentinel detects, tracks and classifies underwater threats at up to 1,200 metres range For this contract, the Sentinel sonar heads will be deployed from the OPVs using through-hull technology developed by MARSS. Controlled and monitored by Nidar, the sonars can be lowered automatically to establish an instant, 360 degree monitored zone around large naval ships at anchor, or the entry to a port or harbour.
Ross Gooding , business development manager for Maritime Security with Sonardyne, said: “This has been an exciting project for us and our partners at MARSS to be involved with. Reaching this latest milestone demonstrates our combined commitment to supply, install, commission and support this important new OPV fleet in the region for many years to come.”