EDO Corporation received a contract from the Israeli Navy to purchase its advanced-technology ALOFTS Model 980 low-frequency, active, towed-array sonar. ALOFTS provides a long-range sensor capability that will counter the threat of extremely quiet submarines operating in either shallow or deep water. The Israeli Navy has used EDO’s sonar systems in the past, and after a thorough review the Israeli Defense Force Sea Corps (Tzahal Cheyl Ha’Yam) signed a contract valued at more than $7 million, plus options for additional systems.
While the release did not say and the Israelis are notoriously tight-lipped, the systems will almost certainly be installed in the Navy’s upgraded Saar-4.5 Hetz/ Nirit Class missile boats and/or Saar-5 Lahav/ Eilat Class corvettes.