SAES will participate in the European project SEA Defence

As an entity linked to Navantia and within the Work Package WP3 Low Detectability

 

The SEA DEFENCE project “Survivability, Electrification, Automation, Detectability, Enabling Foresight of European Naval Capabilities in Extreme conditions” consists of a project coordinated by the Dutch shipyard Damen and is aimed at providing the European Commission and the Member States with a roadmap complete and updated on the technologies that will be included in the next generation of naval platforms. It was selected in the EDIDP-FNPRT-2019 call of the European Defense Industrial Development Program (EDIDP) and its development will begin on December 1, 2020, with a duration of 30 months.

SAES will participate in the WP3 Low Detectability work package, focused on identifying technological gaps and detailing the actions to be carried out to counter the threat created by the growing detection capabilities of the new sensors, of surface and submarines, and the ways to counteract it, reducing the detectability of naval platforms, based on current and emerging technologies.

The project, which is the first of the new European programs in the defence field in which SAES participates, under the Navantia Linked Third Party modality. Within the scope of the EDIDP program, a Linked Third Party is one that has a legal or economic relationship with one of the members of the consortium, implements the assigned tasks on its own behalf and receives the grant directly from the EU. A Linked Third Party presents the same eligibility criteria as the direct members of the consortium.

Nombre legalPaísAplicante vinculación
DAMENNetherlandsDamen Holding B. V.
CETENAItalyFincantieri
SEASTEMAItalyFincantieri
SIREHNAFranceNaval Group
SAESSpainNavantia
SAAB ABSwedenSaab Kockums AB
Atlas ElektroniK GmbHGermanyThyssenkrupp
BLOHM+VOSSGermanyLúrsen Defence
Companies and countries participating in SEA Defense

A total of 20 entities from eight European nations participate in the SEA DEFENCE project. These entities include the main European shipyards: DAMEN SHIPYARDS GROUP (Netherlands), FINCANTIERI S.P.A. (Italy), NAVAL GROUP SA (France), NAVANTIA, SA, PYME (Spain), SAAB KOCKUMS AB (Sweden), SEA EUROPE (Belgium), THYSSENKRUPP MARINE SYSTEMS (Germany), ODENSE MARITIME TECHNOLOGY (Denmark), LÜRSSEN DEFENCE (Germany) , TNO (Netherlands), MARIN (Netherlands), CTN (Spain).

European Defence Fund

EDIDP, together with PADR (Preparatory Action on Defence Research), was one of the forerunners of the future European Defence Fund, EDF (2021-2027) that will centralize research and technological development in the European Union, as a complement to the future Horizon program Europe focused on research and development in the civil and security fields.

El EDIDP se centra en la promoción de una industria de defensa fuerte e innovadora, así como en aumentar la autonomía y el liderazgo tecnológico de la UE en defensa.

SAES participated in the Naval Engineering Conference CINAV 2020

With a conference on the ASW capabilities of the new F-110 Frigate

SAES sponsored from November 4th to 6th the X Naval Engineering Conference CINAV 2020 organized by the Colombian Navy. The company has and participates with a lecture on the latest generation capabilities of the new F-110 Frigate by Ignacio Gutiérrez, head of ASW Line.

The speech summarizes the ASW capabilities that make the F-110 being one of the most advanced ASW frigates.

SAES signed in 2019 a contract with Thales for the manufacture, integration and testing of sonar technology for the project of the new F-110 frigates of the Spanish Navy. This contract is part of the agreement between Thales and Navantia for more than 160 million euros to provide to the future Spanish ships with anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

ASW capabilities of the F-110

SAES systems allow the F-110 Frigate having the maximum integration between acoustic sensors, incorporating the latest technologies in ASW, such as multistatic digital sonobuoys, having an acoustic intelligence database (ACINT) and improving the acoustic operator’s skills thanks to onboard training capacity.

These contributions will make it possible to cover the whole mission, briefing, operation and debriefing phases, thus increasing the chances of success.

Lecture on the ASW capabilities of the F-110 frigate.

The lecture is mainly focused on the sensors developed by SAES: the SAS systems (Sonobuoys Acoustic System) and the AMS (Acoustic Management System).

SAS (Sonobuoy Acoustic System) is an acoustic processor system for the passive and active sonobuoys, in analogic and digital implementation, that are deployed by both the frigate and the ASW helicopter.

The acoustic management system AMS (Acoustic Management System) includes calculation of prediction of sonar performance, fusion of tactical plots and multistatism between sonobuoys and between sonobuoys and Varaible Depth Sonar.

SAES participates at Euronaval 2020 Online Exhibition

Presents its solutions in underwater acoustics and electronics for the military and civil security and defense markets.

SAES participates from October 19 to 25 at Euronaval 2020 with a virtual stand, where it shows its capabilities in underwater acoustics and electronics in three fields of activity: engineering systems and underwater technology, maritime safety, and special operations.

SAES participates at Euronaval 2020 Online Exhibition
Virtual stand of SAES at Euronaval 2020 Online Exhibition

SAES, specialized in underwater acoustics and electronics, provides sonars, ASW systems, naval mines, underwater signature measurement stations and other high-tech custom solutions. The company develops various international and national projects. In Spain, it has recently obtained contracts for the S-80 and F-110 programs, the last one includes a Technology Transfer agreement with Thales.

Online B2B meetings

Euronaval has gathered 277 exhibitors from more than 20 countries. Navantia and SAES are the only Spanish defense companies.

For the first and most important virtual exhibition dedicated to the naval industry, SAES has a multi-disciplinary team attending meetings by videoconference with delegations, suppliers, and other companies in search of synergies.

Featured Products

They are highlighting the business lines related to the measurement of submarine signatures and the anti-submarine warfare, specifically the MIRS and Disouros systems.

MIRS is a multi-influence signature measurement system for surface vessels and submarines that simultaneously measures magnetic, electrical, acoustic, seismic and pressure influences.

DISOUROS is a powerful and advanced acoustic processor for detecting, locating and pursuing underwater threats through the integrated use of low frequency dipping sonar (DS) and passive sonobuoys. Provides multi-statism and interoperability between ASW platforms involved in the mission: corvettes, frigates, helicopters, MPA aircraft.

SAES has collaborated in the Ocean HackatHon initiative aimed at sea and technologies

The seahorse geolocation challenge will represent the city of Cartagena in the Brest International Final

The 5th Edition of the Ocean Hackathon was held from October 9 to 11 simultaneously in 19 cities around the world, including two Spanish cities: Cartagena and Cádiz. Since it was first launched in 2016, Ocean Hackathon® has brought together a new community around the ocean and digital environments. Originally based in Brest, it was extended in 2019 to other venues in France and beyond.

SAES has collaborated in the scientific event through the Cartagena Oceanographic Research Institute (CORI) who has organized the event in Cartagena for the first time in Spain. CORI is an ocean research association based in Cartagena for valuing the scientific and technological talent of the Region of Murcia and updating the advances in ​​sustainable development and protection of the oceans.

Thus,  the city of Cartagena has become a benchmark for oceanographic innovation thanks to the sponsorship and collaboration of entities such as the Polytechnic University of Cartagena (UPCT), Europe Direct Region of Murcia, Innova Oceanografía Litoral, Navantia, SABIC and Cartagena City Council, and collaborators such as the Cartagena Port Authority, SAES, Primafrio, COEC, STEM Talent and the CEEIC of Cartagena, the Hippocampus Association, the DiveApp company or groups such as the divers from Cabo de Palos or STEM Talent.

Geolocate seahorses.

The challenge of geolocating seahorses by José Antonio Oliver (marine biologist), Elen García (manager of European projects) and Elena Torro (computer programmer) has won the Ocean Hackathon 2020 of Cartagena.

The project ‘Quantification of ocean litter using images (I-Litter)’, by Carmen Morales from the University of Cádiz, has been the winner of the Ocean Hackathon 2020 in Cádiz.

Both challenges will compete in the International Final that will take place in Brest in the coming weeks, organized by the Campus Mondial de la Mer, together with other twelve maritime cities that will present different proposals based on technologies for sustainability and protection of the oceans.

JOAQUÍN LÓPEZ PAGÁN, new president of SAES

The Board of Directors of SAES has agreed to appoint Joaquín López Pagán as the new CEO of the company at the meeting held the 5th of October. Born in 1976, he has a Law Degree and a master’s degree in Business Legal Advice. He has been a member of a Spanish Region parliament and Senator of the Senate of Spain.

Joaquín López Pagán

He succeeds Sofía Honrubia, the president from June 2020, and who continues as Commercial and Business Development Director of Navantia, SA, SME (Navantia). From this position she will continue to promote collaboration between both companies as usual.

SAES is part of the state business public sector. It is attached to the Ministry of Finance and Public Administrations through the commercial, also public, SAES CAPITAL, S.A., S.M.E. and this in turn through Navantia, all of them belonging to and included in the SEPI Group (State Society of Industrial Participations). SAES CAPITAL owns 51% of the shares and the 49% belongs to the French company THALES DMS FRANCE SAS.

SAES, specialists in underwater acoustics and electronics, is the benchmark company in Spain for sonar technology and antisubmarine warfare since more than 30 years. Some of its products can be applied to the civil market in the areas of security and underwater measurement for environmental surveillance.

The company, which has participated in the most important Spanish naval programs of submarines, mine hunters, frigates, among other platforms, also has a marked international character, exporting to different countries such as France, the United States, Sweden, Chile, Colombia and Kazakhstan. among others.

SAES has recently obtained important contracts with Navantia and Thales in relation to the F-110 program for which it contributes the acoustic processing of sonobuoys to the frigate and will undertake the manufacture, installation and testing of the Thales cylindrical BMAS sonar, as well as its integration into the sonar suite, among other works. In addition, the company will participate in supporting the life cycle of the S-80 submarine and F-110 frigates. By these contracts, the company strengthens its position in the defense sector as a leading company in ASW technology.

SOFÍA HONRUBIA CHECA and CRISTINA ABAD SALINAS, new president and CEO of SAES

The Board of Directors of SAES has agreed to appoint Sofía Honrubia Checa, Commercial and Business Development Vice President in Navantia, as new president of SAES. They have also designated to Cristina Abad Salinas as new CEO, replacing the positions filled so far by Alfredo Gordo Álvarez. Likewise, Vicente Santamaría Calvario was appointed as a member of the Board of Directors.

Sofia Honrubia, front and right, and Cristina Abad, front and left, next to the Board of Director of SAES

Sofía Honrubia Checa, is a naval engineer from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. She was appointed director of SAES in June 2018 and is currently Commercial and Business Development Manager of Navantia, S.A., S.M.E., a company in which she has held different responsibilities for more than 20 years, both in national projects as international. From this position, the new president of SAES, has promoted the collaboration between Navantia and SAES.

Cristina Abad Salinas is an engineer in Automation and Industrial Electronics from the Polytechnic University of Cartagena. The new SAES director has 18 years of experience in the naval sector and during her career she has held various positions in relation to large programs such as the Spanish submarine S-80. Until her appointment at SAES she has held the position of deputy director of Technology Management, Cybersecurity and 4.0 at Navantia Sistemas, with the responsibility of promoting Technological Transformation in said division of Navantia, encompassing research, technological development and innovation activities (R + D + I) and cybersecurity. It should be noted that Cristina Abad worked at the beginning of her career as a systems engineer at SAES for the Norwegian F-310 frigate program and that since her previous duties at Navantia Sistemas she has collaborated closely with the company she now directs.

The SAES company, as a state mercantile company, is part of the state business public sector. It is attached to the Ministry of Finance and Public Administrations through the commercial, also public, SAES CAPITAL, S.A., S.M.E. and this in turn through Navantia, all of them belonging to and included in the SEPI Group (State Company of Industrial Participations). From the shareholding point of view, SAES CAPITAL owns 51% of the shares and the rest belongs to the French company THALES DMS FRANCE SAS.

SAES is specialized in underwater acoustics and electronics and has been the leading company in Spain for sonar technology and anti-submarine warfare for more than 30 years. Some of its products are also destined for the civil market in the areas of critical infrastructure and ship safety and underwater measurement with environmental applications.

The company, which has participated in the large Spanish naval programs for submarines, mine-hunters, frigates, among other platforms, also has a marked international character, exporting to different countries such as France, the United States, Sweden, Chile, Colombia and Kazakhstan, among others.

SAES has recently obtained important contracts with Navantia and Thales in relation to the F-110 program, by which it contributes the acoustic processing of sonobuoys to the frigate and will undertake the manufacture, installation and testing of the Thales BMAS cylindrical sonar, as well as its integration in the sonar suite, among other jobs. In addition, the company will participate in supporting the life cycle of the S-80 and F-110 submarines. With these contracts, the company consolidates its position in the defense sector as a leading company in ASW technology.

How does noise affect marine life?

SAES joins the commemoration of the International Noise Awareness Day, looking to raise awareness of the impact of underwater noise produced by human activity on marine flora and fauna, such as maritime transport and offshore wind farms building

Why are marine mammals closing to the coast? Recently, there are many news about unusual sighting of cetaceans on the Spanish coasts. This is because the human noise produced in the sea has drastically decreased due to COVID-19 confinement and travel restrictions, inviting whales and dolphins to get closer to the coast.

underwater noise

Human activity in the marine environment produces an increase in the level of acoustic noise in this sea, which affects the well-being of marine fauna. In fact, the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), aimed at achieving and maintaining Good Environmental Status in European seas, includes the regulation of noise emissions in descriptor 11.

SAES, as a specialists in underwater technology for 31 years, is researching in this area for years. The company has developed equipment for the measurement of underwater noise and has participated and participates in different programs and studies related to the measurement and analysis and modeling of the underwater sound propagation. Actually, SAES in consortium with partners organizations, is currently preparing a proposal for the call for European H2020 projects, focused on evaluating and mitigating the impact of noise emissions from ships on marine fauna.

underwater noise measurement

Some house-made equipment from the company, such as the SDH smart digital hydrophone or the MIRS underwater measurement station, are used to carry out

scientific and environmental studies, as well as to measure and study the underwater noise produced by industrial activity and ships on sea. Thus the noise can be controlled in order to reduce the impact on sea produced by various activities such as maritime traffic, building activities, extraction platforms and offshore wind farms.

SAES, committed to you

“Stopping the coronavirus is everyone’s responsibility. If you protect yourself, you protect the others”.

SAES has adapted its activity faced with the public health crisis situation, following the declaration of a global pandemic by the WHO (World Health Organization) and the State of Alarm decreed by the Spanish Government, adopting preventive security measures.

In order to preserve the health of our employees and customers, SAES has followed the Government’s recommendations from the outset to contain the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19). Since March 16, on-site activities at SAES have been suspended, and we have started teleworking and time flexibility to continue with our projects and daily work, also facilitating the family and professional reconciliation of our staff.

The staff is demonstrating an exceptional level of commitment to the projects and the measures taken, and our goal is to overcome this crisis.

The previous week were imposed travel restrictions and event cancellation. It also was prepared all the necessary technological infrastructure to work remotely thus for most activities our employees are in their homes communicated and teleworking.

Additionally, we are following all governmental protocol for preventing coronavirus contagion.

We are aware that collaboration and individual responsibility are essential to overcome this health crisis among all. We have to work together, and we join to the gratitude and recognition to all the health personnel in Spain, and to all the groups that are adding their effort to the collective challenge of fighting against the Covid-19, especially our Armed Forces and State Security Corps.

SAES signs a contract with Thales to provide the Spanish frigates F-110 with sonar technology

The agreement is for 10 years and it is the second biggest contract signed by SAES

SAES signs a contract with Thales

It has been signed a contract between SAES and Thales that comprises the manufacturing, integration and tests of sonar systems for the F-110 frigates. The agreement is for 10 years and it is the most important contract signed by SAES since the S-80 Spanish submarine related contracts.

SAES has been supported by Thales and Navantia, who are shareholders of the company. This agreement consolidates SAES as a reference company in underwater electronics and acoustics in the defence Spanish sector, as well as, allow SAES participates, one more time, in the most important naval Spanish programs.

In the photograph, Mr. Alfredo Gordo, president of the Board of Directors of SAES, and Mr. Alexis Morel, member of the Board of Directors of SAES and Vice-president – General manager of Underwater Systems business line, sign the contract on December 11th.

SAES at the bilateral meeting of Spanish companies in Latvia

With the attendance of the Secretary of State for Defense, the Spanish ambassador to Latvia and the OFICAEX´chief, as well as the NAD (National Acquisitions Directorate) and members of the Ministry of Defense of Latvia.

SAES has been one of the Spanish companies that has participated in the bilateral meeting held in Latvia, together with Navantia, Instalaza, URO, ARPA, GHAN, GDELS, INDRA, ALTUS.

SAES at the bilateral meeting of Spanish companies in Latvia
SAES at the bilateral meeting of Spanish companies in Latvia

OFICAEX, the Office of Foreign Support of the Ministry of Defense, has organized these bilateral meetings in order to show the capabilities of the Spanish defense industry to the Latvian Defense Department as well as to facilitate collaboration with local companies.

Part of the bilateral meeting took place at the NATO base in Riga (Adazi Base), where all the companies showed their capabilities.

SAES highlighted the fact that it is a reference company in Underwater Defence, that has participating in the most important naval programs in Spain such as the S-80 and the F-110.

During the tour of our product portfolio, special emphasis was placed on our capabilities in mine warfare and the outstanding international position of SAES in this discipline.

SAES at the bilateral meeting of Spanish companies in Latvia
The NAD (National Acquisitions Directorate) visited the “stand” of SAES

After the presentations, the NAD (National Acquisitions Directorate), visited the SAES’ stand where capabilities in underwater defense and naval mines were discussed in depth.