Submarine Communications

Deployed for extended periods and constrained by space, weight, power, heat, noise and signature management, they depend on communications systems that are secure, resilient and adaptable throughout decades of service.

As navies modernise fleets and prepare for evolving threats, SEA offers communications systems capable of integrating new technologies, support legacy equipment and the ability to adapt throughout a platform's service life. Open architecture provides the foundation to achieve this.

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Proven in service

SEA’s submarine communications systems have supported the UK Royal Navy for more than 20 years across all current submarine classes, delivering resilient communications capability across platforms designed for long-duration deployments.

These systems support multinational programmes by enhancing compatibility across submarine classes and allied fleets through shared interfaces, compatible software environments and consistent operating principles.

Building flexibility into submarine communications

Space onboard a submarine is at a premium. Communications rooms must accommodate radios, encryption systems, network management tools and supporting infrastructure while maintaining strict environmental controls. Every additional device, cable run or processing unit has an impact on layout, heat generation and maintainability.

SEA helps navies maximise communications capability without increasing platform burden. Through advances in digitisation and miniaturisation. Our digitised baseband capabilities, including Network Interface Units and compact processing modules, deliver greater functionality within a smaller footprint, freeing up valuable footprint that can be used to provide additional capabilities.

By converting analogue signals from legacy equipment into digital formats, they can be managed within a modern control architecture, allowing incumbent systems to remain operational while being integrated into a flexible digital environment.

Our digital management and control systems enhance efficiency by routing signals across common onboard networks and replacing hardware-heavy control arrangements with software-based interfaces. This reduces cabling, streamlines operations and give operators more intuitive control through browser-based management tools.

Delivering security and adaptability

Maintaining stealth remains fundamental to submarine operations. Communications systems must minimise acoustic, electromagnetic and thermal signatures while ensuring critical information can be transmitted securely.

Our modular architecture supports this by consolidating functions and isolating critical networks, while integrated management systems allow operators to manage multiple communications channels through a single interface.

By selecting the most appropriate bearer, prioritising traffic and enabling rapid reconfiguration, these technologies reduce transmission cycles and minimise time spent at or near the surface, helping to maintain security and stealth.

Future-proofing communications

Submarine platforms are designed to remain in service for decades, yet communications technology evolves much faster. By leveraging our open architecture communications systems, new technology and innovations can be integrated throughout a platform’s lifecycle.

Removing the need to replace the entire communications suite, individual components can be upgraded as new capabilities become available, including commercially available technologies such as off-the-shelf radio systems adapted for military use.

SEA’s open architecture reduces vendor lock-in, enhances navy buying power, and maximises equipment choice ensuring both operational needs, and value for money is achieved.

Integrated Maritime Systems

Related Information

SEA Awarded New Zealand Communications System Upgrade Contract for two ANZAC Frigates SEA, the UK’s defence and security electronic system specialist, has been awarded a contract by New Zealand’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the first phase of upgrading the communications systems on two Royal New Zealand Navy ANZAC frigates.

New Zealand ANZAC Communications Upgrade Team Visit SEA Since winning a contract to upgrade the communication system for the Royal New Zealand Navy’s two ANZAC class frigates in August 2021, the team at SEA have been working on Phase 1 of the Frigate Sustainment – Communications (FS-C) project.

SEA Enables Royal Navy cECS Training with Innovative Virtual System In partnership with DSAT Consultancy Ltd and Peak Pacific UK Ltd and Peak Pacific UK Ltd, SEA has delivered an innovative training system: enabling the Royal Navy to carry out its own common submarine External Communications System (cECS) training for the first time.