Marshall has secured a long-term contract from Thales UK to produce and support components for sonar systems used by the Royal Navy.
The agreement, which ranges from 2025 to 2039, covers Sonar 2076 components used on Astute-class submarines.
It also includes the Sonar 2087, currently installed on Type 23 frigates and planned for the upcoming Type 26 frigates and export variants.
Marshall’s Advanced Manufacturing Solutions unit, formerly Aerostructures, will handle production and in-service support from its site in Cambridge.
The company will leverage its in-house sonar module production capabilities while collaborating with Thales to upgrade specialized tooling, electrical assembly setups, and testing facilities.
“Our collaboration with supply chain partners like Marshall is critical to the continued success of Thales and the Royal Navy’s Maritime Sensor Enhancement Team program, delivering round the clock equipment availability and resilience,” Thales UK Underwater Systems Managing Director Steven Lockley said.
The Systems
Sonar 2087 is a towed system that allows warships to detect submarines from extended ranges well before striking distance.
Besides supporting the UK’s naval operations, it is also equipped on the French FREMM, Italian FREMM, Spanish F110, and Chilean T-23.
Sonar 2076 is designed for high-performance underwater detection. It integrates advanced acoustic sensors and processing tools to track and identify threats.
The Dreadnought class will be paired with surface observation systems combining electronic surveillance and visual imaging to support navigation and threat detection.
In 2020, Thales was awarded a 330-million-pound ($442 million) contract to equip the future Dreadnought-class submarines with the latest Sonar 2076 system and Combat System Mast.
