Royal Canadian Navy River-Class destroyers will be fitted with Thales’ S2087 towed array sonar systems, it has been announced.
Thales Canada has been awarded a contract by Lockheed Martin Canada to supply the top-end anti-submarine warfare (ASW) system, meaning the new ships will carry the same class-leading submarine detection kit as their sister platforms.
The same variable-depth sonar system, which combines active and passive elements, is being deployed on future British Royal Navy and Royal Norwegian Navy Type 26 frigates, and on Royal Australian Navy Hunter-class frigates.
As per a Thales press statement the S2087, part of the CAPTAS low-frequency towed sonar family used by 20 navies globally “is a proven, high-performance towed sonar designed to detect and track silent submarines over long distances in complex coastal environments and on the high seas.”
President and CEO of Thales Canada Ian Krepps commented: “The S2087 adds critical capabilities to the River-class destroyers, ensuring Canada’s surface combatants are ready to operate effectively in contested maritime environments.
“By delivering this advanced sonar system, Thales remains deeply committed to Canada — investing in local expertise, strengthening sovereign capabilities, and collaborating with Canadian industry to protect the country’s security for decades to come.”
A variable-depth towed array originally developed with the Royal Navy, the S2087 allows surface warships to detect, locate, and track even quiet submarines beyond their torpedo-launch range, and can be deployed even while warships are cruising at speeds of around 20 knots.
While full specifications and capabilities are not in the public domain, the towed array is reportedly over 1km long and offers detection ranges in optimal conditions of in excess of 60 miles in optimal open-water conditions and upwards of 35 miles in noisier littoral environments.
The system is generally used in tandem with a warship’s airborne assets and hull-mounted sensors; data from the S2087 is shared via tactical links to other ships or maritime patrol helicopters equipped with dipping sonar, which can act as passive receivers, preventing submarines from locating the sonar signal’s source.
The RCN is set to acquire up to 15 River-class warships by 2050 in a C$77 billion (£42 billion) programme; the 151-metre ships will displace about 7,800 tonnes will have a maximum range of around 7,000 nautical miles and be capable of sailing at up to 27 knots.
The first River-class warship is already under construction by Irving Shipbuilding, with its delivery anticipated in the mid-2030s.
- You can read more details about the new contract on the Thales website and more about the River class warships on the Canadian Government website