The company has presented its developments in underwater signature measurement and naval training mines.

The delegation was composed of 13 Officers in Course, 3 Professors and 3 Spanish Navy Officers, including the commander of the Force of Mine Counter-Measures of the Spanish Navy, Captain D. Rafael Arcos Palace.

SAES, which has delegations in Cartagena and San Fernando, is the reference company for the Spanish Navy in Underwater Acoustics. The firm is at the forefront of the market and in development and manufacturing of multi-influence measurement systems and exercise-naval mines.

This visit is the second one since the NATO Center of Excellence also came to SAES in 2016. That time the delegation also visited the headquarters and workshop. In addition, EGUERMIN has in its facilities two mock-up of MILA limpet naval mine, which is part of the permanent exhibition in NATO Naval Mines Centre of Excellence.

SAES is a company born in 1989 qualified as strategic for the defence that develops high technology such as sonar and systems based on complex algorithms for underwater signal processing. The company has participated in important programs such as the Spanish Mine hunter vessels and the S-80 Spanish submarines. Last annual accounts show that the 80% of sales are international.

EGUERMIN was created in 1965 as a Belgian-Dutch War School of Mines and, since 2006, became the Center of Excellence for the NATO Mine War (NMW COE – Naval Mine Warfare Center of Excellence).

The company, a reference in sonar technology for underwater defence, met with high representatives from Spanish government and from Thales in order to coordinate future projects related to underwater technology.

The 16^th of January, SAES management met with representatives from Spanish government and Thales in order to coordinate next collaborations in projects related to sonar and anti-submarine warfare. The Deputy General Director of Inspection, Regulation and Industrial Strategy of Defence D. Pedro A. Fuster González, and the president of Thales Spain, D. Jesús Sánchez-Bargos participated in the meetings, together other representatives from defence department and from Thales Underwater Systems Business Line.

SAES is the reference company in Spain in underwater acoustics systems for more than 27 years. The firm develops high-tech and provides to the main Spanish naval projects with systems and engineering services. SAES has participated in several programs such as S-80 submarines, Segura class minehunters, tactical simulators for submarines, ASW systems and exercise-naval mines for training. Last years, SAES has increased the international contracts up to the  80% of sales.

 

New facilities for the management of strategic projects for Spanish Navy.

The knowledge and technology that SAES has, makes the company being a strategical allied for the underwater defence in Spain. Even in a scenario of low investment by Spanish government in defence programs, the company has gone on developing technology thanks to the innovation and the international market. This fact make SAES owns a valuable knowledge in underwater acoustic systems and signature management, both essential for the defence against underwater threats.

During the visit to SAES facilities, the new offices and factory facilities was shown. New space in main offices, more than 200 m2, allow a new conference room and a training room. The training of national and international navies in SAES facilities is a service that is highly demanded. Furthermore, a new water tank for sonar test has been included, besides the one constructed for the deploy system of towed array sonar of S-80.

 

Sonar, anti-submarine warfare systems and naval mines.

SAES develops sonar, anti-submarine warfare systems for all kind of platforms as well as naval mines. Among these systems is relevant the DDS-03 diver detection sonar since the Spanish firm is one of the few companies that commercialize it. Also, it was highlighted the fact SAES manufactures the most advances multi-influence naval mines nowadays, based on the knowledge in acoustic and signature intelligence. Besides these developments, SAES’s portfolio includes one of the most moderns systems for ASW based on sonobuoy processing.

SAES won the Research Activity Award by the research in the development of the Diver Detection Sonar DDS-03.

The judges of the XXXI International Security Contest “Trofeos de la Seguridad” gave the Research Activity Award to SAES in recognition of the researches to develop the diver detection sonar DDS-03.

 

The ceremony of the contest, which is organized by SEGURITECNIA magazine, was hold in Madrid the 15th of December and he event was attended by the Home Affairs Secretary of State of Spain. Among other award winners, beside SAES, the Military Unit for Emergencies (UME) and the National Centro for Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity (CNPIC) was also awarded.

 

The Diver Detection Sonar DDS-03 is the result of the SAES research activities in the sonar field and underwater security, specifically those focused on high-frequency active sonar for diver detection or mini-submarines. Detectability level of these targets is very low, and this is the main difference between this kind of sonar and the usual sonars, which are installed in ships and submarines to detect other threats.

 

The SAES diver detection sonar started as an own-resources project that also was supported partially by the Spanish Defence Department, who certificated, during hard sea tests, the accomplishment of the performance requirements of the system. Thereon, the industrialized version DDS was developed, including progress and new benefits. For instance, improvements in the acquisition, demodulation and digitalization of analogic signals and the increase of the detection range. In addition, it was included the control and display of several sonar units and digital charts. Among the last improvements, it highlights the remote supervision by mobile devices and the incorporation of tools for acoustic performance analysis and a device for communication and acoustic deterrence.

 

The DDS03 is a solution against underwater threats, which is commercialized as a double-use system for the protection of infrastructures as ports, energy plants beside the sea, offshore platforms and also anchored ships and other high-value assets.
New regulations for critical infrastructures in Spain and Europe make foreseeable this sonar integration into infrastructure and port surveillance systems increase.

 

The “Trofeos de Seguridad” awards is an annual contest organized by Seguritecnia in which some companies, institutions and professionals  are awarded for achievements in security field or trajectory and where government, armed forces, policy and industry representatives assist. The contest has 9 awards, for instance the best security product, professional trajectory or research activity in security matter.

SAES will offer two presentations. First of them will be focus on how improve quickly and in a cost-effective way the anti-submarine warfare capabilities basing on training and acoustic intelligence. The other is about the underwater protection of critical infrastructures by diver detection sonar. Besides the presentations, SAES will exhibit their solutions in a stand into the Spanish Pavilion.

SAES will participate at EXPONAVAL 2017, which will be held from 4 to 6 December in Bogota. The company exhibits together with six other Spanish firms into the Spanish Pavilion (Pavilion 11-16, stand G1018) and will offer two presentations.

Tuesday, 5th December, 9:30 to 10:00:
–    ASW mission keys: efficient tactical plan, experienced acoustic operator.
–    IGNACIO GUTIERREZ SUANCES / ASW Line manager
Wednesday, 6th December, 11.30 to 12:
–    Underwater threats to critical infrastructures: the latest security risk.
–    JOAQUIN FERNANDEZ PERLES/ Sonar systems Line manager

Summary of presentations.

ASW mission keys: efficient tactical plan, experienced acoustic operator.
The tactical plan is essential to undertake the success of the mission but not enough without an experienced acoustic operator. Cost-effective systems Fast-time Analyzer System (FTAS) and Tactical Acoustic Trainer (TAT) will allow american navies accomplish with these two key issues in a very short time. This presentation will explain how SAES can assist you to have knowledge about the conditions of the area and the characteristics of the enemy submarine to conform a tactical plan before starting the ASW mission (briefing phase), the reenactment of the complete mission ( x1/4 to x16 play speeds) and the creation and management of an Acoustic Intelligence Database (ACINT). Furthermore, the solution for comprehensive training to the operator without the need to make use of platforms and launch real sonobuoys will be presented. TAT creates and simulates a complete acoustic scenario and stimulates the real sonobuoy processing acoustic system in order to the operators be trained using the real system as if a real mission would take place.

Underwater threats to critical infrastructures: the latest security risk.
If a threat is not detected the infrastructure security can be endangered. Although the surveillance surface solutions installed for critical infrastructures have advanced systems for perimetral security, neither radar nor video cameras can detect an underwater threat such as a diver or a submarine vehicle. This weakness can counteracted by adding an active diver detection sonar to the surveillance system above mentioned. This presentation will explain how SAES can support you to have your critical infrastructures, ports, ships and maritime areas protected against underwater threats by adding the SAES diver detection sonar DDS-03 in the surveillance solution. SAES, as a reference company in underwater acoustics, develops sonars and other systems for submarines and ships based on underwater acoustic processing.

The company has promoted the system at the Oceanology International China 2017 Conference Forum SAES, in the context of a trade mission all over the country.

The protection of critical infrastructures is the main reason that makes SAES to travel across China in order to show SAES capabilities in security and their systems based on underwater acoustics. Companies related to security, integrators, public administrations, maritime authorities, research centers and universities have held meetings with SAES as a part of an intensive 2-weeks-commercial agenda. The meetings have taken place across several cities, such as Pekin and Shanghai.
During the commercial trade, the Forum Conference “Oceanology International China 2017” was held in Qingdao. SAES participated among others recognized firms such as Thales. The company exhibited the Diver Detection Sonar DDS-03 as well as other products civil-market oriented.

The DDS-03 is a high-frequency-active sonar specially designed for the protection of ports, anchored ships and other high-value assets and critical infrastructures. Among other advantages, the system can be integrated into a surveillance system and allows the wireless alarm monitoring by mobile devices. The complete system also has a sonar-performance prediction tool in order to know the detection range of the sonar in any place where it works to select the best setting parameters.

The system offers tested high performances in a variety of operational scenarios such as the anchored ships deployments, seabed installation and port surveillance. The fact that DDS-03 is a consolidated solution against underwater threats and in the light of the very good results offered, even in adverse sea propagation conditions, has been highly appreciated by all meeting attendants.
Other products that SAES has promoted in the China civil market are those related to underwater measurement (acoustic and non-acoustic influences – magnetic and electric). Most of them can be applied for training as well as for marine noise control for environmental applications.

SAES, as a specialist in ASW systems, has been one of the six Spanish participating companies.

The aerospacial market in Morroco is developing and growing. The establishment of Bombardier in Casablanca has accelerated the consolidation of the sector. This fact also implies a dynamizing factor for the other companys’ establishment and consolidation.

 

SAES has participated by exhibiting on a stand during the event, which has been hold from 18 to 19 of October. There, SAES has promoted the anti-submarine warfare solutions in the African market, specifically ROASW and SPAS. Besides the exhibition, the event has also included a conference program and has allowed meetings between important companies and agents related.

SAES bring their experience on naval mines and ranging stations at the “1st International Mine-countermeasures Congress (CICMM)” hold in Brazil from 17 to 18 October.

The Brazilian Navy has organized the “1st International Mine-countermeasures Congress (CICMM)” to be held on 17 to 18 October at Escola de Guerra Naval in Rio de Janeiro. Navantia and SAES sponsor the event and participates with a shared stand. Furthermore,  SAES will offer a presentation as subject matter expert.

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SAES participates at the 48th Spanish Congress of Acoustics -TECNIACÚSTICA® 2017, which is organized by the Spanish Society of Acoustics (SEA), and held at the University School of Technical Architecture of La Coruña, from 4th to 6th October 2017.

 

Previously, SAES offered a presentation at “European Symposium on underwater acoustic applications”, on Tuesday, October 3rd,  entitled “TRANSFER FUNCTION OF THE STRUCTURE-BORNE NOISE TO UNDERWATER RADIATED NOISE FOR SHIPS WITH HULL OF DIFFERENT MATERIAL”. The study is based on real measurements of the structure-borne noise level of the hull and  Underwater Radiated Noise of two ships constructed of steel and Glass fiber Reinforced Plastics (GRP), which are used to estimate the TF of the hull.

The Transfer Function (TF) relates the structure-borne noise level of the hull with the Underwater Radiated Noise. Therefore, the acoustic noise generated by the vibrations of the hull of a ship could be estimated from real measurements of the structure-borne noise levels of the hull by applying the TF in real time.

 

Another lecture about “REVIEW OF METHODS OF CALCULATION OF RADIATION EFFICIENCY APPLIED IN UNDERWATER ACOUSTICS”, will be presented on Thursday, October 5th at Tecniacústica 2017, held in La Coruña.

 

The study includes a review of the methods and experimental techniques which are used in order to determine the radiation efficiency of plates that are part of the hull of a ship. In addition, it is studied the impact of the uncertainty in the calculation of this parameter in the calculation of the acoustic power radiated by the ship.

The DDS-03 of SAES will be promoted at Monaco Yacht Show (both QP45 belonging to Navantia), from the 27^th to 30^th September.

Download DDS-03 brochure

 

Last summer several media repeated the incident that occured in Ibiza: a football fan swimmed several kilometers up to the yacht where Lionel Messi was relaxing in Ibiza in order to meet him and make a photograph. What would have been happened if it would be a diver instead a swimmer and having not so innocent purposes?

 

This anecdote shows one of the threats that usually are not taken into account and that can endanger the tranquility on board. Although the solutions for superyacht security have advanced systems the underwater security is not always warranted since neither radar nor video cameras can detect a threat approaching to the ship underwater. This weakness can counteract by adding a diver sonar sonar to the surveillance system.

 

In order to have the superyacht completely protected, once anchored, the sonar is deployed over the side. Having done that, the system monitor constantly and automatically alerts if a underwater threat occurs, indicating the position, trajectory, distance and kind of threat: diver or underwater vehicle. Furthermore, the system allow cast a underwater message in order to dissuade the diver from approaching.

 

Ports security

Using diver detection sonar for underwater surveillance in military ports where high value ships are anchored is a classic example of application of the system. The scenario is the same if the port is aimed at superyachts. In these cases, the DDS-03 deployment and the integration with the surveillance system will provide a totally superyacht security.

 

A responsive solution for difficult scenarios

Underwater diver detection is complex and depends on several conditions such as the water temperature and salinity. DDS-03 offers 360º coverage and has showed an excellent performance even in warm waters, where the sonar surveillance is not easy.

The use of this kind of sonars is becoming widespread for both military ships protection and critical infrastructures. Lately, divers detection is including in luxury market to offer a solid security solution.

 

Diver Detection Sonar at Monaco Yacht Show

As in the last edition of exhibition, SAES team will be at the show together to Navantia in which stand (QP45) a mock-up of the DDS-03 will be showed. Several meeting will take place in order to give advice about both superyacht security and ports, in order to be protected against divers.