US Navy Chooses Sentinel Diver Detection System

The contracts, valued in excess of USD1 million, follow successful trials in October 2007 when Sentinel was shown to meet the US Navy's performance requirements for diver detection. Sentinel demonstrated rapid deployment and performance in an equipment package that is smaller, lighter and more cost effective than previous generations of anti-swimmer sonars.

Sentinel was developed by Sonardyne to meet the specific requirements of the expeditionary warfare community yet the system has already proved itself equally adaptable to other applications. Despite the use of sophisticated surface perimeter protection systems, underwater security has, until now, been acknowledged as the weakest link in the defence of ships and on-shore facilities. These have been vulnerable to underwater threats that include attack, sabotage or smuggling. Because of this, uses for Sentinel are expected to range from the protection of vessels such as cruise ships and superyachts, to underwater perimeter security for sensitive coastal assets including power stations, oil and gas terminals, strategic industry and ports and harbours.