It had become clear that only a redesigned acoustics system would enable the Sea King replacement (now called WG34) to meet the Royal Navy's full operational requirements.
The main problem was to pack all of the sophisticated processing into a small and lightweight enough package for this new helicopter. The resultant system was the AQS-903, a powerful lightweight acoustic processor for helicopter and fixed-wing applications. This system can process data from eight to 32 sonobuoys in any combination. This flexibility is derived from the design based around a number of processing 'pipelines', each able to handle a certain quantity of passive and/or active sonobuoys. Four of these pipelines provide a processing power eight times that of the earlier generation AQS-901, at a fraction of the size and weight.
AQS-903/903A series make extensive use of distributed processing, with the systems incorporating the latest component technology to provide the operator with a wealth of information. The system provides a wide range of processing options to enable the operator to smoothly progress from initial contact detection to classification, localisation and tracking to achieve an effective mission. Analysis and display cues are in plain language, requiring a minimum of operator training. The system can process data from LOFAR, DIFAR, HIDAR, Barra, DICASS and CAMBS buoys.
The AQS-903/AQS-903A are powerful lightweight acoustic processors for helicopter and fixed-wing applications. These systems can process data from eight to 32 sonobuoys in any combination. This flexibility is derived from the design based around a number of processing 'pipelines', each able to handle a certain quantity of passive and/or active sonobuoys. Four of these pipelines provide a processing power eight times that of the earlier generation AQS-901, at a fraction of the size and weight. The AQS-903/903A series make extensive use of distributed processing, with the systems incorporating the latest component technology to provide the operator with a wealth of information. The system provides a wide range of processing options to enable the operator to smoothly progress from initial contact detection to classification, localisation and tracking to achieve an effective mission. Analysis and display cues are in plain language, requiring a minimum of operator training. The system can process data from LOFAR, DIFAR, HIDAR, Barra, DICASS and CAMBS buoys.
Thomson Marconi Sonar (TMS) was formed in 1990 by the merger of the sonar systems businesses of Thomson-CSF, Ferranti. GEC acquired Ferranti's share of the business in 1995 and the business occupied many sites including the Corsair Building at Rochester.
With the merger of Marconi Electronic Systems and British Aerospace in 1999, BAE Systems acquired Marconi's 49.9% share in TMS. In 2001 BAE Systems exercised an options agreement which forced Thomson, renamed Thales, to purchase its stake in 2001. The company was renamed Thales Underwater Systems.
