New Zealand Navy Frigate

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 continues to expand its sonar capabilities to meets its customer needs and this has been recognised by the contract award."

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.

Defence Technology