Ultra announced a contract award to commence work on the S2150-C Hull-Mounted Sonar (HMS) system for the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) program. This award comes after Ultra’s recent award of a contract to provide the CSC Variable Depth Sonar (VDS). These subcontracts move the development of CSC’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability from the program definition phase into the substantive manufacture and delivery of the vessels’ suite of sonars.
The Ultra HMS selected for CSC is part of the HMS product family, with a level of operational performance that meets stringent Canadian technical requirements. Additionally, its innovative design provides significant ship design advantages as well as logistical benefits and cost-savings in the maintenance and upgrade of the system through its operational life.
The S2150-C HMS system is a prime example of the inward technology transfer and sovereign capability that the CSC program is building for Canada. The system was originally designed for the UK Type 26 platform, meaning it is optimised for the vessel design that has been selected for the CSC program. This technology will now be transferred to Canada, with Canadian workers and Canadian suppliers being skilled up to provide significant material elements of the system, as well as to conduct design customisation, system integration, installation, acceptance and in-country support.
Due to the same HMS system family being present on the UK program as well as the Australian Hunter Class frigate program, Canadian suppliers will have the opportunity to be considered as suppliers to these programs, thus lifting the export potential Canadian industry as a result of CSC.