French Navy strengthens anti-submarine warfare capabilities with SonoFlash sonobuoy from Thales
The French Navy has selected the SonoFlash new-generation sonobuoy from Thales. Unveiled at the Euronaval show in October 2018, SonoFlash will enable France to reach its strategic capability goal for acoustic sensors.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210318005484/en/
Artist’s impression of a SonoFlash sonobuoy at sea © Thales
The threat posed by submarines is evolving rapidly. Three decades ago, only the superpowers had a true undersea warfare capability, but numerous countries now deploy modern submarine fleets. At the same time, forces increasingly operate in littoral waters, which are much more complex for sonar systems, rather than in the relative certainty of open-ocean environments.
Responding to this evolving threat environment, Thales developed the SonoFlash buoy, a new-generation sonobuoy with an unequalled performance-to-mass ratio that builds on decades of expertise in sonars and acoustic sensors to offer an ambitious new solution.
Its innovative design and advanced technology include a number of key features to deliver unrivalled performance. Today's sonobuoys are either passive or active. By contrast, the SonoFlash buoy offers the best of both modes, combining a powerful, optimised low-frequency transmitter with a high-directivity passive receiver. With the combination of these two capabilities, and the added advantage of long endurance, the SonoFlash buoy is suitable for a wide array of deployment scenarios.
Fully compatible with the other families of Thales sonars, the SonoFlash buoy offers high tactical flexibility and opens up promising new opportunities for multistatic operation. Coupled with the FLASH dipping sonar, for example, the SonoFlash buoy enables an aircraft to expand its coverage area and respond with greater agility to evasive manoeuvres by a submarine. Thanks to its digitised signal and optimal communication range, the SonoFlash buoy data can be readily exploited by any piloted or remotely piloted aircraft, naval vessel or shore centre equipped with a sonobuoy processing system.
The French Navy will be the first operational user of the SonoFlash buoy, which will be deployed by the modernised Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft and NH90 Caiman tactical transport helicopters. It will be delivered to the Navy from 2025 and could be available in export markets to equip all modern maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters as well as all types of unmanned platforms, including autonomous surface vehicles and rotary-wing (VTOL) and fixed-wing UAVs equipped with a suitable multi-sonobuoy dispenser.
Manufactured in France with a network of SMEs such as TELERAD, SelhaGroup and Realmeca, the SonoFlash buoy relies on Thales’s expertise in acoustic sensor technology to contribute to France’s desire for independence in strategic industries.
“Thales has packed 10 years of innovation in hardware and digital technologies into a tube measuring 91.4 cm long and 12.3 cm in diameter. SonoFlash extends the range of a naval force's anti-submarine warfare operations, outclassing all other sonobuoys in the market today and offering a versatile and easy-to-deploy solution for tracking submarines from any piloted or remotely piloted aircraft, frigate or unmanned surface vehicle. We are grateful to the DGA and the Navy for the trust they have placed in us and delighted to be working with French partner SMEs to bring this project to a successful conclusion and restore France's sovereign capabilities in sonobuoys.” Alexis Morel, VP Underwater Systems, Thales.
About Thales
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies, investing in digital and “deep tech” innovations – connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum computing – to build a confident future crucial for the development of our societies. The Group provides its customers – businesses, organisations and governments – in the defense, aeronautics, space, transport, and digital identity and security domains with solutions, services and products that help them fulfil their critical role, consideration for the individual being the driving force behind all decisions.
Thales has 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2020 the Group generated sales of €17 billion.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210318005484/en/
Contact information
Thales, Media Relations
Land and Naval Defence
Faïza Zaroual
+33 (0)7 64 25 99 31
faiza.zaroual@thalesgroup.com
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Global EV Alliance Releases EV Driver Survey Results: Myths Are Slowing EV Market17.11.2025 20:19:00 EET | Press release
In a groundbreaking survey of more than 26,000 EV drivers across 30 countries, an overwhelming 77% say persistent myths about electric cars are the single biggest obstacle to EV adoption in their nations. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251118388193/en/ There are still significant differences in the EV market across countries, and not everyone has a wide range of car brands to choose from. Photo: Markus Rotevatn/Norwegian EV Association. 83% say they believe policy measures are needed to increase EV sales in their country. “Misinformation about EVs is a serious challenge. It can make policymakers less confident that electric vehicles are a viable solution to climate change and local air pollution,” says Joel Levin, chair of GEVA and Director of Plug in America. One common myth in many countries is that electric cars are a fire hazard. 88% of the EV drivers in the survey say they aren’t worried about their EV b
Dilawer Farazi Returns to Loomis Sayles as Co-Head and Portfolio Manager on the Emerging Markets Debt Team17.11.2025 17:59:00 EET | Press release
Loomis, Sayles & Company is pleased to announce that Dilawer Farazi, ACA, has rejoined the firm as Co-Head and Portfolio Manager of the Emerging Markets Debt (EMD) Team. Dilawer becomes the firm’s first London-based portfolio manager. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251117681347/en/ Dilawer Farazi, ACA, has rejoined Loomis Sayles as Co-Head and Portfolio Manager of the Emerging Markets Debt Team Dilawer brings over two decades of experience in emerging markets credit, having previously served as a Senior Credit Research Analyst at Loomis Sayles from 2018 to 2020. He rejoins the firm from Royal London Asset Management (RLAM), where he led the Emerging Markets Credit team and managed approximately USD $1 billion in assets across EM credit. At RLAM, he launched the firm’s first dedicated emerging markets funds, including an emerging markets corporate bond fund and an emerging markets short duration credit fund. I
Duravant Announces Retirement of CEO Mike Kachmer, Names Jill Evanko Successor17.11.2025 17:13:00 EET | Press release
Duravant LLC (“Duravant”), a global leader in advanced automation solutions, announced today that Mike Kachmer will retire from his role as Chief Executive Officer after a highly successful tenure with the company. Duravant’s Board of Directors has named Jill Evanko as CEO, joining the company on January 5, 2026. To ensure a seamless transition, Mr. Kachmer will continue to serve as Chairman of Duravant. Mr. Kachmer will also continue to serve on the Board of Directors for Northwestern Memorial Healthcare and The London Clinic. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251117036720/en/ Mike Kachmer “It has been a true honor and a humbling experience to lead this incredible company,” said Mr. Kachmer. “I am profoundly grateful to my colleagues within Duravant for their support over the years. Together, we have built an organization with a truly differentiated operating model and culture, one that cultivates collaboration
Morningstar's 2026 Outlook Report Delivers Global and Regional Insights for Durable Portfolios17.11.2025 16:00:00 EET | Press release
Morningstar, Inc. (Nasdaq: MORN), a leading provider of independent investment insights, today published its 2026 Outlook, offering an overview of key challenges and opportunities for the year ahead. In a market defined by uncertainty, this year’s report emphasizes the value of preparation over prediction, equipping investors with strategies to focus on fundamentals and help build resilient portfolios that withstand both booms and busts. Drawing on insights from Equity, Manager, and Behavioral research analysts worldwide, this Outlook distills Morningstar’s thinking on how to navigate opportunity and risk across every major asset class in 2026. "Markets are unpredictable, and the geopolitical and tariff uncertainty of 2025 showed just how quickly forecasts can shift. That’s why Morningstar is redefining the Outlook, focusing on durable portfolios rather than short-term predictions,” said Dan Kemp, chief research and investment officer. “No matter what market conditions the year ahead m
Wolters Kluwer Enablon Control of Work Solution Now Available as Private Offer in AWS Marketplace17.11.2025 16:00:00 EET | Press release
Wolters Kluwer today announced that its Enablon Control of Work solution is now available in AWS Marketplace as a private offer. This purchasing model empowers customers to negotiate and receive tailored pricing, terms, and licensing agreements, while streamlining procurement and leveraging existing Amazon Web Services (AWS) billing workflows to accelerate deployment and optimize cloud budgets. Wolters Kluwer’s Enablon Control of Work solution consolidates permit-to-work, isolation management and risk assessments into an integrated system. Trusted by frontline workers and contractors in high-risk environments including oil & gas, pharmaceuticals, data center and manufacturing industries, the software helps streamline operations, minimize unplanned downtime and prevent serious injuries and fatalities. Richard Pulliam, SVP & General Manager of EHS & ESG for Wolters Kluwer, said: “Making Enablon's Control of Work solution available in AWS Marketplace is another step in our mission to help
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom