Thales UK is proud to support the official launch of the second Astute-class submarine, HMS Ambush, at the BAE Systems shipyard at Barrow-in-Furness on 16 December.

Ambush, a 7,400 tonne nuclear powered attack submarine (SSN), was today unveiled and officially named at the Cumbrian-based shipyard, a significant milestone for the Astute-class programme.

Lady Anne Soar, Ambush’s sponsor and wife of the Royal Navy’s (RN’s) Commander-in-Chief Fleet, Admiral Sir Trevor Soar, performed the ceremony, which was watched by invited guests from the RN, Ministry of Defence (MoD), industry and the Barrow community.

The first submarine, HMS Astute, was officially commissioned into the RN in August 2010. The Astute-class boats are the UK’s biggest SSNs, and one of the most capable military assets in the RN.

The Astute-class platform is fitted with a significant number of Thales sensors and systems, including Sonar 2076, the world's most advanced, fully integrated, passive/active search and attack submarine sonar suite.

The boat is also fitted with two Thales non-hull penetrating CM010 optronic masts, which together with Sonar 2076, effectively provide the submarine with its ‘eyes and ears’.

The optronic mast replaces conventional hull-penetrating optical periscope systems with a non-hull penetrating, electronic imaging system and uses an electronic link from high-resolution cameras in the sensor head to present the surface picture on console screens in the submarine’s operations centre.

Submarine Solutions acknowledges the importance of establishing excellent working relationships with key suppliers...

Thales also supplies the UAP4 electronic support measures (ESM) system, which has two multi-function antenna arrays mounted on the masts. These are designed to monitor the electronic environment around the submarine, to provide situational awareness of other platforms equipped with radar systems operating in the area.

Other Thales equipment includes the ECB680 communications and SEEPIRB emergency beacon buoys and an Ultra High frequency (UHF) satellite communications antenna.

As prime contractor, BAE Systems is building a total of seven Astute-class submarines. Thales is contracted to supply Sonar 2076 and other equipment for the first four boats – Astute, Ambush, Artful and Audacious.

Alex Dorrian, Thales UK Chief Executive Officer, says: “This is another significant milestone in the Astute-class submarine programme. Across a number of our facilities around the country we have collectively provided a sophisticated set of sensor systems that provide the ‘eyes and ears’ of the submarine, giving it an unmatched war-fighting capability.”

“This latest success builds on Thales UK’s relationship with BAE Systems Submarine Solutions and the MoD, and we look forward to further co-operation as the programme continues to progress.”

BAE Systems Submarine Solutions Supply Chain Director Malcolm Dare, says: “Submarine Solutions acknowledges the importance of establishing excellent working relationships with key suppliers. The one established with Thales UK during the first-of-class programme, HMS Astute, has continued to strengthen throughout the build of HMS Ambush.”

“The Thales UK team has made a significant contribution to the activities leading to the launch of HMS Ambush, and the successful integration of the submarine’s primary sonar and key above water systems.”

Also, it has agreed to acquire SESO (Société Européenne de Systèmes Optiques), a French company that designs and manufactures very high-precision optical components and systems based on optical, opto-mechanical and electro-optical technologies.

Based in Aix-en-Provence in the south of France, SESO employs around 80 engineers and qualified technicians and generates some 12 million euros in revenues, 80% on export, with institutional customers, major corporations and research organisations. The company serves three main markets: space and defence, scientific programmes, and high-power lasers.

In space and defence, SESO mainly supplies onboard equipment for spacecraft (mirrors and telescopes) as well as ground equipment (solar simulators, etc.). The company's mirrors were selected for the IASI and Pléaides observation satellites and will equip France's future CSO intelligence satellites. In astronomy, SESO develops optical instruments built around very large, very high-precision telescopes. The company also produced optical components for the prototype of France's national Laser Mega Joule (LMJ) project, building its credentials for the full-scale production phase and the provision of maintenance services over the installation's 30-year lifetime.

Serge Adrian, director of Thales's optronics businesses stated: "This acquisition brings Thales a set of businesses that are highly complementary to our own. There is a clear potential for synergies in very high-resolution optics, a field where SESO has already achieved international acclaim. Thales will now be able to offer its customers even more innovative systems and instruments." He added: "We will continue to grow the business in all its markets and we are also happy to have this chance to further expand our involvement in the national high-tech clusters initiative."

The transaction will close after official approval by the competent competition authorities.