Sonardyne to Supply Sentinels within EU

Sentinel IDS systems are operational worldwide protecting both commercial and military assets, critical energy and civilian infrastructure, VIPs and maritime borders. The system uses advanced sonar technology to provide a 360 degree, below water protection zone that can discriminate between genuine targets such as divers and swimmers and non-threats such as large fish or pleasure craft. Sentinel has been designed specifically for ease of use by security personnel and to meet the practical requirements of every day use.

The Sentinels for the new European contracts will be deployed to protect strategic shipping assets and in several European ports over the next six months to automatically detect, track and classify underwater threats at long ranges. The equipment being supplied will include Sonardyne's latest sustained immersion sonar head which has been introduced for permanent, maintenance-free installation as well as portable configuration Sentinels for rapid deployment from vessels visiting foreign ports.

Commenting on the contract, Rob Balloch, strategic development director for Sonardyne said, "We have worked very closely with our EU partners to meet their requirements for a diver detection sonar that will offer high performance in some very challenging operational scenarios." He added, "The award of this contract demonstrates the strong confidence in both the capabilities of Sentinel and Sonardyne's ability to provide innovative technology coupled with class-leading project and technical support."

Sonardyne International is based in Yateley, Hampshire, UK. The company also has regional operating subsidiaries in Houston, Aberdeen and Brazil and is recognised as a world leader in the design and manufacture of underwater acoustic positioning, inertial navigation, subsea communications and sonar technology systems for the offshore oil and gas, ocean scientific and maritime security industries. For further information on Sentinel please visit www.sonardyne.com.