General Atomics and Ultra Maritime Partner to Transform Unmanned Anti-Submarine Warfare Capabilities

Groundbreaking Partnership in Unmanned Anti-Submarine Warfare

In an era of increasing threats from stealthy adversary submarines, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and Ultra Maritime have announced a strategic partnership that promises to significantly enhance unmanned airborne capabilities for anti-submarine warfare (ASW). This collaboration is set to integrate GA-ASI’s sophisticated MQ-9B SeaGuardian® with Ultra Maritime's cutting-edge miniaturized sonobuoys and acoustic receivers, establishing a formidable new approach to tracking enemy submarines.

Addressing Current Challenges in ASW

The modern battlefield has evolved, with submarines becoming more capable of evading detection through improved stealth technologies. GPS jamming is further complicating anti-submarine operations, necessitating innovative solutions that ensure effective tracking capabilities. Unmanned technologies, particularly those employed within air and underwater domains, have shown immense potential. However, existing ASW technologies have struggled to provide reliable and cost-effective solutions. The GA-ASI and Ultra Maritime alliance aims to fill this gap by combining advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS) with highly efficient detection tools.

This strategic partnership intends to utilize the MQ-9B SeaGuardian’s extensive functionality to enhance ASW operations. With its unmatched ability to conduct multi-domain intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and targeting missions, the MQ-9B will serve as the ideal platform to deploy Ultra Maritime's innovative small form factor (half-size) sonobuoys. These miniature devices will not only reduce logistical burdens but also significantly increase the operational capacity of unmanned aerial missions.

Technical Innovations and Future Deployments

Ultra Maritime’s commitment to developing unique ASW solutions can be observed in their development of new acoustic receivers, which are designed to be significantly smaller—only half the size of traditional models. This downsizing facilitates easier deployment on unmanned systems, allowing for enhanced ASW performance even in GPS-denied environments. The innovative receivers will provide greater operational effectiveness by enabling monitoring of more sonobuoys during individual MQ-9B missions through advanced communication techniques.

Moreover, the integration of Multi-static Active (MSA) capabilities will allow the system to achieve unprecedented wide-area searches. The funding for developing these technologies is wholly derived from the internal resources of both companies, ensuring that the project advances without reliance on external resources.

An integrated operational demonstration of this collaborative capability is expected to begin in 2025 and will take place across various theaters, starting in the Indo-Pacific region. The collaboration signifies a major step in creating a comprehensive ASW system that offers autonomous and scalable solutions for military operations against naval threats.

The Vision of Ultra Maritime

Ultra Maritime stands as a global leader in ASW solutions across air, surface, and underwater environments. With an ambition to shape the future of unmanned maritime dominance, the company is channeling significant investments to rapidly develop advanced capabilities that will provide allied navies with a competitive edge. Their commitment extends throughout multiple territories, including the United States, Canada, the UK, and Australia, ensuring that strategic partnerships such as this one with GA-ASI become integral in meeting future naval challenges.

At GA-ASI, the legacy of producing Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) is solidified by logging over 8 million flight hours through its well-known Predator® series. The experiences and resources of both companies combined hold the promise of allowing rapid advancements in aerial and sub-surface combat technologies.

In conclusion, the formidable strengths of GA-ASI and Ultra Maritime are set to forge revolutionary pathways in anti-submarine warfare, equipping forces with enhanced capabilities that adapt to the challenges of today's complex security environments. As they embark on this partnership, layers of technological innovation will ensure that trusted maritime partners remain one step ahead of adversaries.

For more information, visit Ultra Maritime and GA-ASI.