US Navy Orders More Minesweeping Equipment

(July 1, 2010) -- Thales Australia has been awarded a follow on contract by the US Department of Defense to supply minesweeping equipment for the US Navy's Avenger class Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMVs).

The contract for four ship sets with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) includes an option for a further three ship sets, and follows several highly successful contracts for Thales minesweeping systems for the US Navy. Over the past four years Thales Australia has delivered Advanced Acoustic Generators (AAGs), Infrasonic Advanced Acoustic Generators (IAAGs), Sweep Tracker Monitor Systems (STMS), spares and accessories for seven of the 14 Avenger class MCMVs.

"The US Navy is committed to having the most advanced minesweeping technology," said Chris Jenkins, Thales Australia's CEO. "As new mine-related threats emerge, it is vitally important to deploy cutting-edge systems that deliver innovative and flexible capabilities to naval forces on operations. We are extremely proud to be a part of the US Navy's capability in this area, and look forward to developing what is a highly productive relationship."

The AAG is at the cutting edge of mine countermeasures technology. A water driven, turbine powered acoustic generator that emulates ship noise, it can be integrated with any sweep system. Originally developed by Thales Australia in conjunction with an SME, Adelaidebased Resonance Technology, and with assistance from the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, it meets a global need for sophisticated minesweeping products.

The IAAG is the low frequency variant of the AAG and has also been developed by Thales Australia and Resonance Technology. The IAAG fulfils a requirement for an acoustic generator able to produce underwater sound at the high sound pressure levels and low frequencies similar to those produced by large ships.

The STMS is designed for deployment with the AAG and IAAG to provide positional tracking data and to facilitate control of both manned and unmanned operations. "The AAG gives the US Navy a low maintenance high reliability acoustic generator," said Andrew Tatem, NSWC PCD project engineer responsible for the installation and commissioning of the acoustic sweep on the Avenger class MCMVs.

Thales in Australia manufactures and exports minesweeping products to navies throughout the world, and has established a significant design, manufacturing and production capability for these products.

Source : Thales Group (Paris: HO.PA)