Ultra Electronics’ Sonar Systems business has received a contract from the New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MoD) to deliver two Sea Sentor surface ship torpedo defence (SSTD) systems for the Royal New Zealand Navy’s Anzac frigates.
The £9.9m contract forms part of the Anzac frigate systems upgrade (FSU) programme, which is aimed at modernising the surveillance, combat and self-defence capabilities of the frigates to meet existing and future threats.
The SSTD system offers a single in-line towed array platform, which uses a passive tow for detection, classification and localisation of the threat posed by approaching torpedoes launched from a hostile submarine.
Integrating a flexible towed-body countermeasure, the system will be able to attract and jam all torpedo types, such as wake-homing torpedoes. Optional launchers can also install additional expendable countermeasures.
Ultra Electronics chief executive Rakesh Sharma said: "Ultra continues to expand its sonar capabilities to meets its customer needs and this has been recognised by the contract award."
Powered by a combined diesel or gas turbine system, including a GE LM 2,500 gas turbine and two MTU 12V 1163 TB83 diesel engines, the 3,600t Anzac frigates are armed with an eight-cell MK41 vertical launching system for Nato Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles.
Furthermore, the frigates have two triple 324mm MK32 torpedo tubes for MK46 anti-submarine torpedoes, and can also launch eight Boeing Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles.
Image: The integration of Ultra Electronics’ torpedo defence system forms part of the New Zealand’s Anzac frigate systems upgrade programme. Photo: courtesy of Ultra Electronics.
