Ultra Maritime has successfully conducted the first in-water trial of its new Multistatic Active Receive Sonobuoy (MSARS) in Scotland, marking a significant milestone in the UK’s efforts to enhance its anti-submarine warfare capabilities. This innovative sonobuoy was developed with assistance from the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and is part of the Atlantic Bastion program, which aims to boost the application of autonomous technologies in submarine detection and tracking operations.
The MSARS initiative focuses on the integration of uncrewed aircraft into underwater surveillance missions while also improving coordination with existing crewed platforms, such as the Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk2 helicopter. This development comes in response to the rising concern regarding Russian submarine activity in the North Atlantic, underscoring the necessity for robust detection and localization of threat submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles to sustain operational superiority.
The MSARS system can be deployed from both crewed and uncrewed aircraft, enabling operators to customize mission parameters prior to launch using an integrated digital interface. In addition, Ultra Maritime is collaborating with General Atomics to further integrate the MSARS onto the MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aircraft. This partnership aims to enhance operational reach, increase the payload capacity of sonobuoys, and facilitate distributed anti-submarine warfare efforts across expansive maritime areas.
The recent trial aligns with Ultra Maritime’s broader strategy to expand its sonobuoy programs through new production contracts and international collaborations. Notably, in April, Ultra Maritime received a contract from the US Navy for low-rate initial production of the AN/SSQ-125B sonobuoy. This advanced system is specifically designed to enhance the detection capabilities of increasingly quiet submarines in complex acoustic environments.
Furthermore, last year, France awarded Ultra Maritime a contract to supply both active and passive sonobuoys through Thales, addressing the nation’s anti-submarine warfare requirements. In a strategic move to broaden its influence, Ultra Maritime also partnered with India’s Bharat Dynamics Limited in 2025 to co-produce sonobuoys tailored for the Indian Navy. This series of developments indicates Ultra Maritime’s commitment to expanding its footprint in the global defense sector while enhancing naval operations through advanced technology.
