It is a Low Frequency Active Sonar (LFAS) and consists of both active and passive sonar arrays. Thales describes the system as "a towed-array that enables Type 23 frigates to hunt the latest submarines at considerable distances and locate them beyond the range at which they [submarines] can launch an attack."[6]
During Exercise Auriga in 2010, HMS Sutherland's capability equipped with Sonar 2087 was described as "world-beating" by the Sutherland's commanding officer. American, British, Canadian and French warships took part in the exercise, including the French nuclear submarine Perle.[7]
A new programme named Spearhead was launched in October 2022 to perform rapid development on Sonar 2087 to add new active and passive variable depth sonar capability to the existing system on Type 23 frigates.[8][9]