Four FLASH SONICS system will be installed on Polish Navy’s helicopters. Credit: Thales Group.

The Polish Navy has selected Thales to equip its helicopters with four Flash Sonics dipping sonar and sonobuoy processing systems.

The Flash system (Folding Light Acoustic System for Helicopters) is a dipping sonar used by major navies.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Apart from the Polish Navy, the system is used by several other international navies, including the US, UK, France, and Australia.

Thales Underwater Systems VP Alexis Morel said: “The FLASH system has been proven in operational deployments with numerous navies, making it a formidable threat for all types of submarines.

“It is an important instrument of operational superiority for our client navies in their anti-submarine warfare operations.”

In order to maintain control of maritime space and safeguard the security interests of all parts of the world, naval forces require reliable and high-performance systems. Such systems can help conduct tasks, such as anti-submarine warfare and sea search and rescue.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The main advantages of this low frequency wideband sonar are long-range detection and low false alarm rates in the open ocean.

The system was originally designed for heavy helicopters, such as the navy’s Merlin AW101 built by Leonardo. It is also available in a compact version with electric motors adapted for light helicopters, such as the AW159.

Thales and Leonardo have partnered with local industry partners, such as WZL1 and the Gdansk University of Technology (GUT), to address the needs of the customer.

GUT and WZL1 will profit from the transfer of sonar maintenance technology.

Morel added: “We are very appreciative of the trust the Polish Navy has placed in us with this new contract in partnership with Leonardo, which further consolidates the group’s world leadership position in anti-submarine warfare systems.”