According to S.A. Electronica Submarina (SAES), the new technologies aboard submarines and the new geopolitical scenarios are the two main reasons why, on the one hand, some surveillance missions have moved to waters closer to the coast (brown waters), and on the other hand, programs for the modernization of ASW platforms have been undertaken or planned recently.

"The fact the submarines are more silent and that they incorporate powerful attack technologies is leading to a tactical superiority over which ASW forces must react," company sources say.

To improve efficiency and preserve tactical superiority, they propose to keep in mind the following main foundations:

  • Interoperability between deployed ASW forces
  • Common operational picture
  • Increase the typical coverage area of an ASW mission
  • Implement multistatic processes and the new digital sonobuoys
  • Have acoustic intelligence tools to the ASW mission
  • Improve operator operating skills by effective training tools

In this sense, SAES will show in Exponaval the solutions that it has developed to fulfill the new requirements of the ASW missions:

  • Sonobuoy Processing Acoustic System (SPAS), a modular, scalable, and customizable in accordance with the required configurations demanded by each client. It can be installed at any ASW platform (ships, MPAs and Helos) and vary the weights, dimensions and units in function of the available installation space on the platform. There are several versions, capable to concurrently processing of multiples passive and active sonobuoys both digital and analog implementation. SPAS provides a multi-static coherent plot and can be integrated with any tactical mission system
  • Remote Operation ASW (ROASW) is an advanced ASW system based on sonobuoys, which can be installed in small combatant ships like OPVs, FACs or Patrols endowing them to take part in the ASW mission. In addition, permits to collaborate in a Network Centric Warfare (NCW) to interchange tactical and intelligence information with other platforms and, through the ROASW-Airborne Segment, also can make use of the distant and elevated platforms without the need of a dedicated operator.
  • Fast Time Analyzer System (FTAS), which allows the analysis of acoustic and tactical data (STANAG 4283 Ed. 5) recorded during the ASW Mission at different velocities. FTAS allows extracting and analyzing the mission, generating an acoustic intelligence database (ACINT) and providing data for new ASW missions
  • The Tactical Acoustic Trainer (TAT) is a real-time training system in order to train to the acoustic operators in the ASW missions. By means that the operator improve their operational skills without the need to make use of maritime patrol aircraft and launch real sonobuoys