Thales has reached a major milestone with the delivery of its 100th Combined Active-Passive Towed Array Sonar (CAPTAS) system to an undisclosed customer, reinforcing its status as a global leader in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) technology. The CAPTAS family includes several modular variants tailored for vessels of varying sizes, providing both active and passive 360-degree underwater surveillance. Designed for long-range detection exceeding 60 kilometers, CAPTAS enables naval forces to identify and track submarines before they approach strategic or restricted areas, thus enhancing situational awareness and maritime security. Seventeen navies, including those of France, Italy, the UK, and the United States, currently deploy CAPTAS systems. The sonar’s versatility allows integration into corvettes, frigates, destroyers, auxiliary ships, and even unmanned surface vessels. Its containerized mission module supports rapid installation, enabling operators to adapt platforms to evolving operational needs. CAPTAS integrates seamlessly with other Thales sonar solutions, including hull-mounted systems, FLASH dipping sonar, and SonoFlash sonobuoys, promoting data fusion and interoperability among allied fleets. Incorporating AI-assisted data processing and advanced analytics, the latest CAPTAS variant delivers improved detection accuracy and simplified operator workload. Thales’ continued innovation in cyber-secure modular design ensures the system remains upgradeable as new technologies emerge. By reaching this production landmark, Thales underscores its pivotal role in global maritime defense, offering navies advanced underwater awareness tools vital for countering submarine threats in increasingly contested waters.
