SS1221 Especially Well Suited to Shallow-Water Operations
Kongsberg is to supply sonars to the Norwegian Coast Guard, under a contract with shipbuilder Vard, for the three new vessels currently planned to be delivered to the service 2022-2024, the company announced on 19 August.
Replacing the NORDKAPP-class, the new 136m ice-strengthened vessels will face multiple missions in a variety of climatic and environmental conditions, including shallow-water operations. Kongsberg’s SS1121 active hull-mounted sonar, originally developed for ASW operations, uses sophisticated tracking algorithms and is particularly well suited to such conditions. Its electronically-stabilised transmitting and receiving beams can be tilted to adjust to challenging sound speed profiles, with its integrated sound propagation model determining the optimal tilt settings and enhancing the probability of detection (PoD) ratio.
The SS1221 sonars will be delivered to the Coastguard complete with retractable hull units and gate valves for ice protection, ensuring safe and efficient operation.
“The Coastguard [has] to rely upon the most advanced technology available in order to fulfil [its] responsibilities effectively and this contract is another resounding testimony to the deep level of trust the Kongsberg brand has accumulated over our many successful years of trading,” stated Thomas H Dahle, Director of Sales.
