Halifax-area transmitter-maker Nautel is working withGeneral Dynamics to upgrade and maintain underwater sensors on the Halifax-class frigates for the Royal Canadian Navy, the company said Tuesday.

In a statement, Nautel said the contract is part of the Underwater Warfare Suite Upgrade deal awarded to General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada.

As part of the hull-mounted sonar upgrade program, Nautel will supply NS72-36 sonar amplifiers and Mk II broadband transducers that will offer the RCN dramatically improved underwater threat-detection and tracking capabilities.

Nautel said its NS Series Sonar amplifiers are the most modern designs available today. When combined with Nautel’s latest Mk II broadband transducers, navies around the world can deploy NS Series amplifiers to create the most advanced transmit chain for underwater defence and security.

“I’m proud of the world-class sonar solutions being developed by our Hackett’s Cove and Cornwall, Ontario teams,” said Nautel President and CEO Kevin Rodgers in the statement. “This announcement is an endorsement of their hard work and dedication to designing innovative technologies for the RCN and other navies worldwide.”

The announcement comes one week after Nautel announced that it will provide an Enhanced Loran transmitter to UrsaNav, of North Billerica, Mass. UrsaNav will then provide the Nautel eLoran transmitter technology together with its own timing and control system to the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Oceans Engineering, or KRISO.

Based in Hackett’s Cove near Peggy’s Cove, Nautel has grown into one of the world’s largest makers of AM and FM radio transmitters over the past five decades. While that continues to be the cornerstone of Nautel’s business, the company has found opportunities in new fields.