Thales Australia recentlywon a follow on contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to supply minesweeping equipment for the U.S. Navy's Avenger class Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMVs).
The contract for four ship sets with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) includes an option for a further three ship sets, and follows several contracts for Thales minesweeping systems for the U.S. Navy. Over the past four years Thales Australia has delivered Advanced Acoustic Generators (AAGs), Infrasonic Advanced Acoustic Generators (IAAGs), Sweep Tracker Monitor Systems (STMS), spares and accessories for seven of the 14 Avenger class MCMVs.
The AAG is a water-driven, turbine-powered acoustic generator that emulates ship noise and can be integrated with any sweep system. Originally developed by Thales Australia in conjunction with Resonance Technology in Adelaide, Australia, and with assistance from the Defence Science and Technology Organization, it meets a global need for sophisticated minesweeping products.
The IAAG is the low frequency variant of the AAG and has also been developed by Thales Australia and Resonance Technology. The IAAG fulfils a requirement for an acoustic generator able to produce underwater sound at the high sound pressure levels and low frequencies similar to those produced by large ships.
The STMS is designed for deployment with the AAG and IAAG to provide positional tracking data and to facilitate control of both manned and unmanned operations.
"The AAG gives the U.S. Navy a low maintenance high reliability acoustic generator," says Andrew Tatem, NSWC PCD project engineer responsible for the installation and commissioning of the acoustic sweep on the Avenger class MCMVs.
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