Following a call for international
tender, the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) of
Singapore awarded Thales with the Life Extension Programme (LEP) of
its 4 Bedok class mine-countermeasure
vessels.
This significant contract highlights the relevance of both
Thales's naval technology portfolio and its comprehensive set of
skills and capabilities to address key modernisation programs in an
evermore-competitive international naval market.
Thales will provide an advanced, integrated
mine-countermeasure (MCM) Combat System, including the Mine
Information System, a Hull Mounted Sonar, a Towed Synthetic
Aperture Sonar (SAS) and Expendable Mine Disposal Systems. Thales
will also be in charge of making any structural alterations to the
vessels in relation to the integration of new systems and
equipment.
"Thales is honoured to have been selected by the DSTA as
Prime Contractor for the modernisation program of the Bedok Class
MCM vessels. This contract award underlines the cutting edge of
Thales's naval technology portfolio to address the very challenging
maritime environment of the Republic of Singapore", says Marc
Darmon, Senior Vice President of Thales and Head of Naval
Division.
Within the framework of the contract, Thales will also
closely cooperate with the ST Electronics Group, building on the
successful history of cooperation in various other
programs.
"Upon completion of the modernisation program, the RSN
will benefit from a high coverage rate of MCM operations, with a
very high level of detection and classification accuracy of the
most advanced sea mines. This enhanced capability constitutes a key
contribution to a safer maritime environment", says Benoit
Ribadeau-Dumas, Vice President of Thales's Underwater Systems
Business.
In 2007 and 2008, Thales has been awarded significant MCM
modernisations programs in Norway, India and Lithuania.
Notes to Editors
With an every higher
degree of sophistication and the potential use by terrorists in
high traffic sea lines of communications, sea mines pose an
increasing threat to naval forces and commercial vessel traffic. In
order to counter such threats, navies around the world are
maintaining a cutting edge mine-hunting capability. This requires
innovative sensors and algorithms able to rapidly and with a high
degree of confidence detect and classify mines are necessary, along
with the effectors to dispose of them. Effectors may include
expendable drones so as to remove the human operator from being
exposed to the threats posed by mine disposal operations.''
EOQ
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四艘猎雷艇将翻新
（2009-05-15）
陈颖佳
我国海军开始翻新使用了13年的四艘猎雷艇，以装备更先进的猎雷声纳和水雷信息系统，肩负更具挑战性的猎雷任务。
海军这项翻新工程招标，吸引多国厂商激烈竞标。新加坡国防科技局（DSTA）最后决定将这四艘猎雷艇翻新任务，交由法国泰雷兹集团（Thales）。泰雷兹昨天上午在“亚洲国际海防展览及会议”（IMDEX
Asia）的会场发表文告宣布这项消息。
由瑞典设计的这4艘兰德索尔特级（Landsort）猎雷艇：勿洛号、加冷号、加东号和榜鹅号，是在1995年投入服务。它们长47公尺、重360公
吨，航速15海里，装备40毫米甲板炮，电脑导航系统及扫雷资料处理系统，每艘备有两艘深水遥控销雷器（mine disposal
vessel）。
泰雷兹在文告说，公司将提供先进和一体化的猎雷系统，包括水雷信息系统、舰壳声纳（Hull-mounted
Sonar）、拖体合成孔径声纳（Towed Synthetic Aperture Sonar）和一次性使用销雷器（Expendable
Mine Disposal System）。公司也负责改装猎雷艇的船身，以容纳新的装备。
新科电子将与泰雷兹携手合作完成这项工程。由于这项工程的细节必须高度保密，国防部和泰雷兹都不愿透露声纳和信息系统的型号，也没有列出具体的完工日期。
据本报掌握的资料，猎雷艇翻新后使用的舰壳声纳，可在浅水探测各种水雷，非常适合本地海域。猎雷艇的搜索范围扩大，舰艇也能更安全地执行任务。信息系统采用先进的辨别技术，先进隐形水雷，或经采用伪装技术的水雷，也会原形毕露。
海军总长赵文良少将去年接受媒体访问时表示，护卫舰取代装备过时的炮艇后，海军将着手翻新猎雷艇和驱潜快舰（Missile
Corvette）。
瑞典海军去年就已着手翻新其中五艘兰德索尔特级猎雷艇。提升为科斯泰尔级（Koster）猎雷艇，以先进的舰壳声纳取代旧有的122型声纳，装置了火控雷达系统和两种新的猎雷具。
据英国《国防新闻》报道，泰雷兹集团在这次竞标活动，面对了德国蒂森克虏伯公司（Thyssen
Krupp）和EADS合资公司Atlas Elektronik的竞争。
泰雷兹已经连续四次成功竞标猎雷艇系统。在这之前，该公司已成功争取得挪威、印度和立陶宛的猎雷艇翻新工程。
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