SEA to trial sonar software for UK Royal Navy
SEA’s software will be trialled on UK Royal Navy Type 23 ships. (Photo: Royal Navy)
The UK Royal Navy’s anti-submarine warfare Spearhead programme, run by the service’s Develop Directorate, has been investigating future and existing technologies with a particular focus on the USV arena.
Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) company SEA will demonstrate a software application which determines optimum deployment depth of an active sonar projector and receiving array, depending on its underwater environment, as part of the UK MoD’s Spearhead ASW programme.
UK-based SEA will contribute additional concepts to the Spearhead programme, working with prime contractor Thales Underwater Systems, to provide the UK Royal Navy with ways to exploit both existing and enhanced systems in underwater warfare scenarios. Trials will be expected to take place later this year.
In 2023, as part of Spearhead, UK multi-static sonar capability was tested by Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond and Merlin Mk2 helicopters in waters off England’s southern coast, alongside industry partners Dstl, Thales, QinetiQ, BAE Systems and Ultra.
In 2022, once again under Spearhead, the RN ordered its first uncrewed submarine as part of an effort to develop a new concept for underwater operations. The XLAUV, bought under Project Cetus, will monitor adversaries, listen for ships and submarines, and keep tabs on critical national infrastructure on the seabed such as cables and pipelines.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Navies need cheaper ways to defeat drones, but can they sustain merchant protection?]()
Navies need cheaper ways to defeat drones, but can they sustain merchant protection?
New interceptors and launchers could help navies preserve missile stocks during prolonged escort operations. Yet lower engagement costs will only improve merchant protection if the weapons are available where ships need defending.
-
![Euronaval 2026: Baltic breakthrough powers Saildrone’s next European expansion]()
Euronaval 2026: Baltic breakthrough powers Saildrone’s next European expansion
Denmark’s doubled deployment, Mediterranean smuggling routes and Norwegian composite hulls show where uncrewed surveillance demand is heading, while British funding remains unclear.
-
![From Chokepoints to the Deep: ASELSAN’s Naval Vision at EURONAVAL]()
From Chokepoints to the Deep: ASELSAN’s Naval Vision at EURONAVAL
From deployable ship defence to autonomous sea and underwater vehicles, ASELSAN is preparing for a new era of naval security.
