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USS Fitzgerald with Ultra Maritime NGSSR

USS Fitzgerald Successfully Completes Sea Trials with Next Generation Radar

Photo credit to the official USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) Facebook

The USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) recently completed sea trials, equipped with Ultra Maritime’s cutting-edge AN/SPS-73(V)18 Next Generation Surface Search Radar (NGSSR). This state-of-the-art radar system, built on a software-based architecture, prioritizes safe navigation, surface search, and periscope detection capabilities. NGSSR represents the pinnacle of surface search radar technology, incorporating lessons learned from the 2017 collisions involving USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and USS John S. McCain (DDG 56). With its versatile and software-defined features, NGSSR replaces the Navy’s current AN/SPS-67, legacy variants of AN/SPS-73, BridgeMaster E-series, and commercial-off-the-shelf radars.

Ed Cook, Vice President/General Manager of Ultra Maritime US, emphasized, “Following the tragic incidents involving the USS Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain, our dedicated team at Ultra Maritime worked tirelessly to provide the U.S. Navy with a crucial technical solution for enhanced navigation safety. The successful deployment of NGSSR on board the USS Fitzgerald not only marks a significant milestone for our program but also highlights the unwavering dedication, persistence, and collaboration between Ultra Maritime and the Navy. We take immense pride in our purpose, which is to protect our Navy and Nation through innovative, mission-ready solutions.”

MADOC sonobuoy contract

Ultra Awarded MADOC Next Generation Sonobuoy Contract

Columbia City, IN: Ultra Sonobuoy Systems (Ultra) has been selected as a qualified vendor for a Multiple Award Delivery Order Contract (MADOC). This contract will provide a vehicle for Ultra to supply the U.S. Navy (USN) with next-generation sonobuoys for the next five years.   The USN Navy purchases roughly $300 million a year in sonobuoys. Ultra is the world’s leader in providing more than 200,000 sonobuoys to the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and other navies around the world.

Ultra has a well-established history of providing best-in-class sonobuoys to the USN and its international allies. This award reflects the USN’s continued trust in Ultras’ ability to continue to develop, produce and deliver world-class products that are used every day to ‘Find, Fix and Finish’ the threat. Ultra remains committed to reducing the cost of ‘washing water’ to the USN and its Allies across the entire anti-submarine warfare mission profiles.

Eric Webster, President of Ultra Sonobuoy Systems, commented: “We are very excited to be chosen by the U.S. Navy to provide next-generation sonobuoys to support the fleet. With conflicts increasing with our near-peer rivals, the importance of anti-submarine warfare and the need for greater quantities of increasingly more capable sonobuoys continues to grow. I am extremely proud of the Ultra team’s focus to deliver innovative solutions and ensure continuity of supply to the U.S. Navy.”

NAVAIR Public Release 2022-588 Distribution Statement A – Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.