The first CAPTAS-4 variable-depth sonar (VDS) transmitter has been delivered to the US Navy’s Constellation-class frigate programme by Thales subsidiary Advanced Acoustic Concepts (AAC), Thales announced on 29 February 2024.
The system was actually delivered on 12 October 2023, which Thales noted was “ahead of contractual milestones while under very aggressive time constraints”.
The Constellation-class frigate programme’s prime contractor, Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM), awarded the VDS contract to AAC in May 2022. In addition to the two systems already ordered so far, up to eight additional CAPTAS-4 transmitter assemblies could be supplied under the current contract.
In April AAC will complete construction of a new CAPTAS production facility located at its current site near Uniontown, Pennsylvania, where final assembly, integration and acceptance testing will occur for shipsets two to 10.
The CAPTAS family comprises a series of low-frequency variable-immersion sonars dedicated to anti-submarine warfare (ASW). The CAPTAS-4 delivered to the US Navy is the most powerful of the CAPTAS family. It has been tested under a wide range of operational conditions, for instance by the French, British and Italian navies, and its technical maturity and performance “are recognised the world over”, according to Thales press release.
In 2020, 2021 and 2022 several French multi-mission frigates equipped with the CAPTAS-4 system won the prestigious US Navy Hook ‘Em Award, which is presented quarterly to a unit supporting the Naples-headquartered US 6th Fleet that has demonstrated superior ASW readiness, proficiency, and operational impact.
The Constellation-class guided missile frigate programme will deliver the US Navy’s next-generation small surface combatants, which are designed to be agile, multi-mission warships capable of operations in both blue-water and littoral environments. Construction of the lead ship (FFG 62) began in September 2022.
