The NH90's main sensor for anti-submarine warfare is the Thales Underwater Systems ASQ-950 FLASH (Folding Light Acoustic System for Helicopter) low-frequency sonar. This has also been selected by the Royal Navy for its Merlin HM1 and HM2s, the US Navy (as the ASQ-22 Airborne Low-Frequency Sonar built under licence by Raytheon) for its MH-60RS and the French and Norwegian navies. Compared to the outdated DUAV-4 active dipping sonar in service on French Navy Lynx helicopters, the lightweight FLASH system offers extended detection ranges and increased immersion depths (down to 750m [2,460ft], according to the French Ixarm/DGA official website).
展开▼
