VIDEO: SAES Delivers First SDL-SS to Swedish Defence Materiel Administration

Sociedad Anónima de Electrónica Submarina (SAES), a Spanish company specialized in underwater acoustics and electronics, has delivered the first Sensor Data Link-Surface Segment (SDL-SS) to the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV).

This is the first formal delivery; SAES will deliver a total of five SDL-SS systems over the years 2013 and 2014.

SAES has successfully completed the Functional Qualification Test Procedure (FQTP) of the Sensor Data Link Surface Segment (SDL-SS) with the attendance of the Royal Swedish Navy and the Swedish Defence Materiel (FMV).

SAES SDL system provides a unique, fully integrated ship/air weapon system, initially designed to enhance and extend the ship acoustic sensors (ASW). SDL also enhances the Anti Surface Warfare (ASuW) and specially the Anti Ship Surveillance and Targeting (ASST) mission extending ship’s horizon of Non-Acoustic Sensors (NAS).

SDL provide Surface to Air (S2A), Surface to Surface (S2S) directional wide band tactical/sensor data exchange, and Ku Band SATCOM (S2SAT) capabilities allowing full Network Concept Warfare (NCW) implementation.

The SDL System is built up of two segments:

• Airborne Segment (SDL-AS) installed on manned/unmanned. Presently SDL-AS is fully operational on HKP-15 Helicopter
• Surface Segment (SDL-SS) to be installed on Surface Platforms as ships, ground stations etc.

SDL-AS is a distant and elevated platform for sensors. The SDL-AS provides remote ASW capabilities without the need of a dedicated operator.

SDL-SS controls and monitors SDL-AS operation from the Surface Segment. Through the data link (STANAG 7085 compliance), acoustic and non-acoustic sensors and tactical data are downlinked and interchanged with other Surface Segments or through SATCOM.

The SDL system is able to extend the area of the small combatants beyond the limits of its sensors for detection, tracking and classification of underwater and surface contacts. To achieve this capability, the SDL system is able to:

•  Control an air vehicle ASW operation (manned or unmanned) and receive acoustic and non-acoustic sensor data: Surface-To-Air (S2A) mode.
• Exchange data with other Surface Platform: Surface-To-Surface (S2S) mode.
• Extend SDL capabilities beyond LOS (Line of Sight) capability through a satellite network: Surface-To-SAT (S2SAT) mode

These operating modes allow the SDL system to collaborate in a Network Centric Warfare (NCW) with the objective to interchange acoustic, non acoustic and tactical information between the different deployed forces in a safe (STANAG 7085) and fast way. This information can be exploited worldwide via Satellite.

The SDL system provides a wide set of tools and aids for mission planning, direction and control as well as for Sonobuoy acoustic signal processing. Non-acoustic sensors (NAS) data and images are also displayed and distributed to the Surface system.

[mappress]
Naval Today Staff, February 1, 2013; Image: SAES