Hensoldt to supply optronics masts for Type 212CD submarines

New Type 212CD submarines being procured by Germany and Norway are to be equipped with a dual-mast visuals suite supplied by German sensor and systems house Hensoldt.

Under contract to kta Naval Systems – a consortium of Kongsberg, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Atlas Elektronik – the company's optronics division will supply a fully digital above-water sensor suite for each of the six boats on order from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. The contract is worth over EUR50 million to Hensoldt.

The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) and Germany's Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) in July awarded ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems a contract valued at approximately EUR5.5 billion covering the construction of four Type 212CD submarines for the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) plus a further two identical ‘common design' boats for the German Navy. kta Naval Systems, as principal subcontractor, is responsible for the Type 212CD combat and sensor system.

Construction of the lead boat will begin in 2023, with delivery to the RNoN scheduled for 2029. The two boats for Germany are to be delivered in 2032 and 2034.

According to Hensoldt, the decision to opt for a twin optronic mast solution for the Type 212CD design represents a “technological leap from the conventional, traditional direct view of a periscope system to a completely hull-penetrating digital system solution”. It adds that each boat system will comprise of an OMS 150 multispectral optronic mast system – used for search and surveillance – and an OMS 300 low profile attack mast designed to minimise both visual and radar signature. The installation will also incorporate an i360°OS panoramic surveillance system.