Personnel from the UK military are set to acquire a novel sound-based weapon detection apparatus a half-decade ahead of initial projections, as the Army expedites the deployment of Leonardo UK’s SONUS technology under an £18.3 million agreement, the Ministry of Defence declared.
As per the MOD, SONUS is fashioned to pinpoint adversarial weapon fire, projectiles, and blasts through the perception of acoustic pressure oscillations. Given that the system functions without active emission, it refrains from broadcasting an electronic trace, thereby enabling military personnel to identify fire origins stealthily, without disclosing their whereabouts.
Officials at the MOD noted that the revamped system is 70% lighter than its predecessor and can be made operational in under three minutes, thereby simplifying its carriage and accelerating its activation. This functionality aims to assist service members in swiftly identifying adversary fire, facilitating prompt defensive or aggressive maneuvers.
This agreement with Leonardo UK supports approximately 250 employment positions nationwide, notably at the company’s Basildon facility, and engages twenty-nine small and medium-sized enterprises. This acquisition contributes to broader augmentations in defence outlays, as the government intends to elevate defence spending to 2.6% of the Gross Domestic Product starting in 2027.
Luke Pollard, the Defence Secretary, remarked:“We’ve expedited our procurement of this equipment by five years to provide additional layers of safety for our personnel through more durable, lightweight systems in a new era of threat.”He further stated:“Transforming defence into a catalyst for economic expansion is a principal objective for this government and this accord preserves employment nationwide, aids numerous SMEs, and strengthens our military.”
Brigadier M Birch, the primary executive overseeing the Land ISTAR initiative, articulated:“This investment in Leonardo’s SONUS Acoustic Weapon Locating System demonstrates the Army’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology to the front line.”He elaborated:“It will significantly enhance our ability to protect our people and respond to emerging threats, ensuring the Army remains ready to meet the challenges of the future.”
Olly Manning, Leonardo’s Vice President of Mission Systems, stated:“Leonardo has over 40 years of experience in passive acoustic weapon-locating technology, with battle-proven systems that have seen operational use with over 13 armed forces – many of whom are NATO members.”He concluded:“We are looking forward to working in partnership with the British Army to ensure SONUS provides them with an accurate, robust and reliable passive detection system that will keep our Armed Forces safe – now and into the future.”