Dutch MoD contracts OPTICS11 for containerized anti-submarine warfare system
The Dutch Ministry of Defence has awarded a contract to OPTICS11 to develop and deliver containerized passive fiber-optic towed array systems under the ASWINABO program. These "ASW in a box" systems can be rapidly deployed on crewed and uncrewed vessels, providing advanced anti-submarine sensing without requiring specialized platforms. The initiative aims to enhance Royal Netherlands Navy readiness and protect subsea infrastructure amid growing threats from espionage, sabotage, and hybrid attacks, including Russian shadow fleet activity in Northern European waters.
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Dutch Navy Orders Containerised Anti-Submarine Warfare Systems
The Dutch Ministry of Defence has ordered containerised towed-array sonar systems from Amsterdam-based OPTICS11 under the Anti-Submarine Warfare In A Box (ASWINABO) programme. The systems, based on the company's OptiArray fibre-optic towed array, can be rapidly deployed on a wide variety of surface vessels, including unmanned surface vessels, giving the Royal Netherlands Navy anti-submarine sensing capability on ships not originally designed for it. Unlike conventional electrical arrays, OptiArray is passive, acoustically silent, and immune to electromagnetic interference. The order comes amid growing concerns over subsea infrastructure security, with autonomous underwater vehicles becoming more capable and Russian shadow fleets and spy ships operating in Northern European waters. The project aims to establish production and integration capability for future large-scale deployment. OPTICS11 CEO Paul Heiden and Captain Lucas Leppink of the Dutch Ministry of Defence highlighted the system's flexibility and potential as a game-changer for maritime security and undersea infrastructure protection.
Dutch Navy Orders Containerised Anti-Submarine Warfare Systems
The Dutch Ministry of Defence has ordered containerised towed-array sonar systems under the ASWINABO (Anti-Submarine Warfare In A Box) programme from Amsterdam-based OPTICS11. These portable, passive fibre-optic arrays can be rapidly deployed on a wide variety of surface vessels, including unmanned surface vessels, enabling anti-submarine sensing on ships not originally designed for it. The order expands OPTICS11's OptiArray product line. The move comes amid growing concerns over subsea infrastructure security, with autonomous underwater vehicles becoming more capable and Russian shadow fleets operating in Northern European waters. Unlike conventional electrical arrays, OptiArray is passive, acoustically silent, and immune to electromagnetic interference, offering earlier detection and better target classification. The project also aims to establish production and integration capabilities for future large-scale deployment. OPTICS11 CEO Paul Heiden and Captain Lucas Leppink of the Dutch Navy highlighted the system's flexibility and importance for maritime security and undersea infrastructure protection.
Dutch Navy Orders Containerised Anti-Submarine Warfare System
The Dutch Ministry of Defence has ordered containerised towed-array sonar systems from Amsterdam-based OPTICS11 under the Anti-Submarine Warfare In A Box (ASWINABO) programme. The system, based on the company's OptiArray fibre-optic towed array, can be rapidly deployed on a wide variety of surface vessels, including unmanned surface vessels, allowing the Royal Netherlands Navy to add anti-submarine sensing to ships not originally designed for it. Unlike conventional electrical arrays, OptiArray is passive, acoustically silent, and immune to electromagnetic interference. The order comes amid growing concerns over the security of subsea infrastructure, with autonomous underwater vehicles becoming more capable and Russian shadow fleets and spy ships operating in Northern European waters. The project aims to establish production and integration capability for future large-scale deployment. OPTICS11 CEO Paul Heiden and Captain Lucas Leppink of the Dutch Ministry of Defence both highlighted the system's potential as a game-changer for maritime security and undersea infrastructure protection.
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Dutch MoD selects OPTICS11 for new ‘ASW in a box’ capability
The Dutch Ministry of Defence has contracted OPTICS11 to develop and deliver containerized towed array systems under the ASWINABO (Anti-Submarine Warfare In A Box) program. The systems, based on OPTICS11's OptiArray passive fiber optic hydrophone technology, are designed for deployment from a range of crewed and uncrewed maritime platforms, including surface ships and unmanned surface vessels. This capability allows navies to retrofit existing vessels with advanced sonar sensing quickly and cost-effectively, addressing the growing threat to subsea infrastructure from espionage, sabotage, and hybrid attacks. The contract includes establishing production and integration capabilities for future large-scale deployment. The Royal Netherlands Navy views this as a game-changer for maritime security and undersea infrastructure protection, enabling broader underwater surveillance without the need for specialized naval platforms.
Dutch Ministry of Defence Selects OPTICS11 for New 'ASW in a Box' Capability
The Dutch Ministry of Defence has contracted OPTICS11, a leader in passive fibre optic acoustic subsea sensing, to develop and deliver operational containerised towed array systems under the ASWINABO (Anti-Submarine Warfare In A Box) programme. The systems, based on OPTICS11's OptiArray product line, are designed for deployment from a range of crewed and uncrewed maritime platforms, allowing advanced anti-submarine sensing to be fielded quickly and cost-effectively. Unlike conventional electrical towed arrays, OptiArray is passive, acoustically silent, and captures richer acoustic information for earlier detection and more accurate target classification. The project will also establish production, integration, and validation capabilities to support future large-scale deployment. The Royal Netherlands Navy aims to equip surface ships, unmanned surface vessels, and other vessels of opportunity with underwater surveillance capability, enhancing maritime security and undersea infrastructure protection.
Dutch MoD selects OPTICS11 for new 'ASW in a box' capability
The Dutch Ministry of Defence has contracted OPTICS11, a leader in passive fiber optic acoustic subsea sensing, to develop and deliver operational containerized towed array systems under the ASWINABO (Anti-Submarine Warfare In A Box) program. These systems, based on OPTICS11's OptiArray product line, are designed for deployment from a range of crewed and uncrewed maritime platforms, enabling rapid, cost-effective anti-submarine sensing. Unlike conventional electrical towed arrays, OptiArray is passive, acoustically silent, and captures richer acoustic information for earlier detection and accurate classification. The contract aims to strengthen Royal Netherlands Navy readiness and self-sufficiency, allowing surface ships, unmanned vessels, and other platforms to gain advanced underwater surveillance capability. The project also includes establishing production and integration infrastructure for future large-scale deployment, addressing evolving threats to subsea infrastructure from espionage, sabotage, and hybrid attacks.