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Jan 28, 2024

HUNTER sonar for Philippine Navy frigates passes milestone

Tayfun Ozberk 21 Aug 2023 ELAC SONAR GmbH stated on its social media accounts that the tests were successful and both the Korean customer ( Hanwha Systems ) and the end customer (Philippine Navy) were

Tayfun Ozberk 21 Aug 2023

ELAC SONAR GmbH stated on its social media accounts that the tests were successful and both the Korean customer (Hanwha Systems) and the end customer (Philippine Navy) were very satisfied. The system will be integrated with Hanwha’s combat management system.

“This successful SAT concludes a long design, development, integration, installation and acceptance period. We will be fitting the HUNTER system to two more ships for the Philippine Navy in the next 12 months, and with this additional reference ELAC SONAR hope to have more exciting projects in the pipeline.”

At MADEX 2019, Naval News we interviewed Hanwha Systems regarding the upgrade program for Philippines Navy Del Pilar-class. You can learn about the mid-life upgrade of these vessels with our coverage below:

HUNTER 2.0 is a hull-mounted sonar carrying out anti-submarine warfare (ASW) in active and passive modes in shallow and deep waters for panoramic detection of submarines and other objects.

HUNTER 2.0 is a hull-mounted sonar providing active and passive surveillance, analysis and classification capabilities. The system features a forward-looking mine avoidance mode as well.

To ensure the active detection of targets, HUNTER 2.0 features Doppler Detection and coherent FM processing. Doppler detection allows the operator to filter stationary echo information and display only moving targets. Due to the high Doppler resolution of HUNTER 2.0, even slow-moving submarines or AUVs can be detected. FM pulses are processed coherently by the system, providing the very high distance resolution required for the classification of targets and the detection of mines in mine avoidance mode. A confidence filter cleans up the display, removes echo information from surface reflections and reduces the probability of false alarms. Targets are automatically detected and tracked by the system, although the operator is able to set up targets manually.

The passive mode of HUNTER 2.0 includes LOFAR, broadband and DEMON processing. The system automatically identifies fast-moving objects as torpedoes and delivers a torpedo warning. The tuneable audio channel supports the operator in the classification of underwater targets and noise sources. Significant traits of detected signals can be compared to classification database entries.

HUNTER 2.0 is the most cost effective and best performing solution for new and modernisation programmes for destroyers, frigates, corvettes or offshore patrol vessels (OPV). Various transducer configurations are available with operating frequencies ranging from 4 kHz to 30 kHz. The optional intercept array allows the detection of active transmissions up to a frequency of 100 kHz.

Technical Data: