Defence

SEA to deliver UK Royal Navy sonar support

Posted 8 December 2016

Cohort plc company SEA has been awarded a contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide across-the-board support to an extensive range of UK Royal Navy acoustic and sonar underwater systems fitted to the surface and sub-surface fleets.

Above: SEA is to provide support for sonar upgrades on a variety of RN ships and submarines.

The two year contract to deliver the MoD Underwater Systems Architecture Advisory Service (USAAS) combines all Maritime Combat System Underwater Electronic Warfare (MCS-UEW) sonar support and advice requirements within a single programme for the first time.

Following an open competition, the latest contract award was made by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Ships MCS UEW Capability Development.

It is valued at around £1 million and will task SEA with providing advice and support for the Sonar 2150; Sonar 2054 Inboard Replacement; Sonar 2087 Technology Refresh Phase 2; Sonar 2093 Capability Sustainment Programme and the Submarine Acoustic Warfare Control System.
The sonars are fitted to the majority of front line UK Royal Navy ships and submarines, with the upgrade programmes at various stages of the procurement cycle.

Steve Hill, Managing Director, SEA, highlighted the contract as reaffirming the strong reputation of SEA’s Maritime Research and Technical Support Team, which has been providing independent sonar technical support to DE&S for over two decades.

He added: “This contract shows continued recognition by the MoD of SEA’s ability to provide effective sonar technical support and reinforces our position as a key provider of specialist maritime technical capability to the MoD’s Research and DE&S organisations.”