Ultra contracted to study anti-submarine warfare technologies
The Sea Lancer system provides a Low Frequency Active (LFA) Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) in a reelable single tow that is ideal for smaller platforms and multi-role ships. (Image: Ultra)
Ultra has received six contracts to study anti-submarine warfare technologies.
Canada’s Department of National Defence has selected Ultra to study and advance a range of Anti-Submarine Warfare technologies.
The six contracts relate to six studies that are to be undertaken as part of the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program.
The IDEaS program seeks innovative solutions to assist acoustic sensor operators to detect, classify, locate and track underwater contacts rapidly and accurately.
These innovative solutions range from tools to assist human operators to rapidly detect underwater contracts from ocean data sources to real-time analysis of measurements obtained from multiple sensors in order to permit the discovery of objects of interest.
Over $176million has been invested in Canada’s science and technology since IDEaS first started in 2018.
The studies Ultra will undertake concern: vector sensors for towed arrays, directional active intercept sensors, sonobuoy deployment from small unmanned aerial vehicles, towed array shape estimation, next-generation environmental sensing and multi-mode free flooded ring transducer technology.
Next-generation anti-submarine warfare is one of Ultra’s strategic technology development areas.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![How will the Canadian Coast Guard’s transfer to the DND umbrella affect its capabilities?]()
How will the Canadian Coast Guard’s transfer to the DND umbrella affect its capabilities?
By joining the defence department, the coast guard will need to acquire new solutions and adapt its in-service capabilities to ensure interoperability with the Canadian Armed Forces.
-
![UK MoD’s confirmation of MBDA missile for Type 26 points to more European collaboration]()
UK MoD’s confirmation of MBDA missile for Type 26 points to more European collaboration
The Type 26 will also be fitted with the Sea Ceptor vertically launched air defence system that can fire CAMM missiles and a 24-cell Mk 41 vertical launch system that can fire the Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, anti-submarine rockets and long-range anti-ship missiles.
-
![Second Royal Canadian Navy Joint Support Ship is on schedule to be launched mid-2026]()
Second Royal Canadian Navy Joint Support Ship is on schedule to be launched mid-2026
While the first Joint Support Ship is currently in the final stages of outfitting, the second one is on schedule for launching next year.
-
![Is South Korea finally being taken seriously for Western submarine programmes?]()
Is South Korea finally being taken seriously for Western submarine programmes?
South Korean shipbuilders are beginning to make their mark beyond Asia, competing for major North American and European submarine programmes and becoming serious contenders on a global scale.
-
![AUKUS Pillar 2 could narrow focus to “four key areas” says UK official]()
AUKUS Pillar 2 could narrow focus to “four key areas” says UK official
Few concrete ideas have emerged so far on which “advanced capabilities” will be brought forward under Pillar 2 of the AUKUS partnership, but the Pentagon’s review of the programme could bring more clarity.
