Geospectrum Technologies reportedly awarded contract for TRAPS Towed Array system
This $41 million contract is a major win for Geospectrum, who was selected by HD Hyundai to provide TRAPS over the Thales CAPTAS system. Geospectrum will supply units to three of the six Rajah Sulayman-class.
Geospectrum has quietly established itself as one of the most capable designers of advanced underwater acoustic systems, and this win is a testament to that work.
The Towed Reelable Active Passive Sonar (TRAPS) represents a fundamental rethinking of towed sonar systems — a compact, modular, and low-drag variable depth sonar (VDS) optimized for both manned and unmanned surface platforms. Unlike traditional low-frequency active sonars, TRAPS integrates its active source, passive array, and tow cable into a single reelable unit. This design minimizes the system’s physical footprint and allows for deployment from smaller hulls, including Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), corvettes, or even 12-metre Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs).
At its core, TRAPS combines active and passive acoustic capabilities in a fully integrated towed configuration. The active source operates within a configurable band, typically from 2 kHz to 10 kHz, allowing operators to tailor transmission frequencies to specific acoustic conditions or mission profiles. Its reelable vertical projector array (VPA) emits controlled low- to mid-frequency pulses for long-range submarine detection, while the passive receive array, with sensitivity across 5 Hz to 3 kHz, captures both direct echoes and ambient noise signatures.
Technically, TRAPS functions as a variable-depth towed array, meaning its operating depth can be adjusted dynamically to exploit acoustic propagation layers. The towed body can be positioned between 10 m and 300 m, depending on sea conditions and thermal gradients, enabling operators to mitigate surface ducting, bottom reverberation, or convergence zone interference. The system’s rated tow speed for operational use is approximately 17 knots, with a survivability threshold exceeding 30 knots, providing sufficient flexibility for both tactical operations and high-speed transits. A hallmark of the system is its low-drag hydrodynamic form, allowing stable tow geometry and minimal self-noise across a range of speeds and sea states.
Beyond the baseline ship-mounted configuration, Geospectrum has developed multiple derivatives, including the TRAPS-USV and containerized variants. The TRAPS-USV version retains the reelable vertical source concept but reduces overall weight and power draw by roughly 40 percent, allowing deployment from vessels as small as 12 metres. It gives unmanned assets credible low-frequency active sonar capability, traditionally restricted to large surface combatants or dedicated ASW frigates. The containerized TRAPS configuration, built into a standard 20-foot ISO module, can be embarked on ships of opportunity, instantly converting a logistics vessel or patrol craft into an ASW sensor platform.
Geospectrum delivered a TRAPS system to the Royal Canadian Navy in 2018. Testing was carried out by both HMCS Shawinigan and HMCS Glace Bay in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Since then, the company has continued to refine TRAPS, trialing the system on a Dolphin USV from Elbit in 2020. They have also received contracts this year to supply TRAPS to other undisclosed customers.
TRAPS is also one of the prime competitors for the Royal Canadian Navy’s Containerized On-Board Reelable Array (COBRA), which will provide up to six containerized active and passive towed array sonars for the Harry DeWolf-class. This win is another in Geospectrum’s playbook. It’s a great day when Canadian companies can achieve a record of export success, especially when competing against major primes.
It is also encouraging to see more Canadian technology supporting allies in the Indo-Pacific, such as the Philippines. I have always been a major supporter of strengthening our relationship with Indo-Pacific partners, including supporting their efforts to exercise sovereignty against an encroaching China. Canada is already providing maritime surveillance support through the Dark Vessel Detection Programme. This new development extends that cooperation into the subsurface domain, enabling the next generation of Filipino OPVs to play a greater role in shaping the Philippines’ maritime picture.
It is also notable that this is being done in partnership with HD Hyundai. It will be interesting to see whether they advertise this as part of their domestic contributions to the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. I certainly would not be against it, especially if it leads to deeper cooperation.
Geospectrum offers a number of other products that could be of strategic value, such as the Lilypad persistent offshore surveillance system. The opportunities to expand this ecosystem of Canadian-developed maritime technology are there, and I hope to see that momentum continue in the years ahead.