Vasco Da Gama-class vessel

General Dynamics Canada is upgrading the Portuguese Navy’s three Vasco da Gama-class vessels with the installation of an adjunct-processing system called Eclipse.

Eclipse offers enhanced operational capability for the in-service AN/SQS-510 sonar systems, which detect submarines and torpedoes.

The upgrade will improve the Portuguese Navy’s ability to detect and localise potential threats on or under the surface of the water.

General Dynamics C4 systems international vice-president David Ibbetson said: "As the original designer and manufacturer of the AN/SQS-510 hull-mounted sonar system, we are pleased to bring new capabilities to this valuable and trusted system."

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Eclipse also provides new ways of displaying the processed sonar information with a simplified format detail that enables operators to detect contacts earlier, and with more clarity than before.

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"The upgrade will significantly enhance the ability of the Portuguese Navy to detect and localise potential threats."

The information will be displayed on new, state-of-the-art high-resolution flat panel monitors.

In addition, the system offers improved capabilities for training and the record and replay of acoustic data.

Currently, the AN/SQS-510 medium-frequency hull-mounted sonar is used on the Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class patrol frigates and three Iroquois-class destroyers.

The Vasco da Gama-class ships feature the signal tactical command and control system (STACOS), which gathers data from primary and secondary sensors to present the air, surface and subsurface pictures after compilation.

Image: The Portuguese Navy’s NRP Vasco da Gama (F330) stationed at a port. Photo: courtesy of Ivo Kruusamägi from Estonian Wikipedia.

Defence Technology