Ultra supports Sonobuoy Test Facility upgrade in UK
Ultra Electronics has secured a contract from QinetiQ to help replace the entire Sonobuoy Test Facility at the British Underwater Test & Evaluation Centre (BUTEC) in Scotland.
QinetiQ will provide COTS computer equipment including networking, data storage and installation.
Ultra will replace software-defined sonobuoy receivers, command function transmitters and a suite of analysis software for the ground station which provides control, monitoring, recording and analysis capabilities for the sonobuoy on test.
New user-friendly graphics and the reuse of seabed hardware to replace surface test equipment ‘will offer a real saving to the customer’, the company noted in a 22 September statement.
It added: ‘Not having to deploy equipment manually from a small boat means the new system will be safer and less time consuming to use.’
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Coast Guard seeks national and foreign suppliers for light and medium icebreakers
Contracts for new light and medium cutters are expected to be awarded in mid-2026.
-
Anduril Australia shows first Ghost Shark for RAN at factory opening
The new underwater vehicle has been described as an “important deterrent” thanks to its ability to operate undetected for extended periods of time.
-
First Canadian Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker is “on track” for keel laying in late 2026
Canadian Coast Guard Ship Arpatuuq construction is in the block manufacturing phase. Once built, it will be the largest vessel in the Coast Guard’s inventory.
-
US Navy extends the deadline for submitting proposals for the Next Generation Logistics Ship
NAVSEA plans to select up to three suppliers for the concept design phase of the programme in Q2 FY2026.
-
South Korea displays domestic technology capabilities with KSS-III submarine launch
Hanwha Ocean’s Jang Yeong-sil is the Republic of Korea Navy’s first 3,600t submarine and is the first of three boats in the military’s KSS-III programme.