Uncategorized News Archives

Ultra Maritime Highlights Airborne Capabilities at the Avalon Australian International Airshow

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ADELAIDE, South Australia – The Avalon Australian International Airshow will provide the perfect backdrop for Ultra Maritime to showcase emerging and existing airborne Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Electronic Warfare capabilities. Stop by the South Australia Defence Stand in Hall 3 at booth 3M25 to learn more about the following:

Next Generation Sonobuoys
Ultra Maritime’s next generation SSQ-53 and SSQ-62 sonobuoys are fully qualified per U.S. Navy standards and are currently used by allied navies globally. These new buoys are in production and Ultra Maritime is currently accepting orders for rapid delivery. With updated underlying technology and an improved supply chain, the company is positioned to provide sonobuoys at a production rate that meets the increasing global demand. While offering a full range of sonobuoys, Ultra Maritime is also the only manufacturer of G size sonobuoys (half-size) used internationally, as well as sonobuoy receivers.  

Electronic Warfare
Avalon 2025 will also provide an opportunity for Ultra Maritime to showcase its Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems which are in service in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Royal Australia Airforce (RAAF). These capabilities enable informed critical decision-making in the ever evolving and increasingly complex electromagnetic threat landscape.

Unmanned System Payloads
Ultra Maritime continues to invest in next-generation Electronic Warfare capability based upon the proven and in-service digital receiver systems and has scaled this capability for use on small, unmanned platforms. This provides an ability to share data across both manned and unmanned networks while providing search, collection and other classified mission capabilities.

“Ultra Maritime is committed to supplying the very best sonobuoy capability to deliver world-class undersea warfare solutions,” said Mark Potter, Vice President and General Manager of Ultra Maritime Australia. “Our expertise in sonar, radar and electronic warfare, and torpedo defense will provide best-in-class capabilities within the maritime domain and position the business well to support the AUKUS pillars.”

Ultra Maritime Australia to Provide World Leading Sonar on Hunter Class Frigates

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ADELAIDE, South Australia – The Royal Australian Navy’s Hunter class frigates will be fitted with Ultra Maritime’s world-leading 2150 Bow Sonar under a contract with BAE Systems Maritime Australia (BAESMA). The delivery of the 2150 Bow Sonar will expand Australian sovereign undersea warfare capabilities, providing active and passive anti-submarine warfare (ASW) modes, mine and obstacle avoidance sonar, integrated underwater communications, and automated torpedo detection, classification and localization.

“Ultra Maritime is committed to building a strategic partnership with the Commonwealth of Australia, as we continue to invest and grow our support to the Royal Australian Navy fleet with delivery of world-class undersea warfare solutions,” said Mark Potter, Vice President and General Manager of Ultra Maritime Australia. “Our expertise in sonar, radar and electronic warfare, and torpedo defense will provide best-in-class capabilities within the maritime domain.”

Ultra Maritime has operated in Australia for more than 15 years, expanding from its indigenous electronic warfare capability to establish a sovereign sonar sustainment solution to support its Integrated Sonar System (ISS), as installed on the Hobart class air warfare destroyers (DDG). As Ultra Maritime’s Australian workforce continues to grow, we will continue to work closely with local industry to further maximize opportunities for Australian industry to assist with the Bow Sonar capability.

Ultra Maritime Collaborates with University of Liverpool to Develop Artificial Intelligence for Passive Sonar

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London, U.K. – Ultra Maritime is pleased to announce a collaboration with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Distributed Algorithms at the University of Liverpool, a UK Research and Innovation funded programme. The research focuses on using machine learning to improve the tracking and detection of vessels using passive sonar, targeted at Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Torpedo Defence applications.

The initial work has shown promising results in improving the detection performance compared to traditional processing techniques, allowing Operators and Automatic Classifiers to extract signals from further into the noise as well as improving tracking performance.

“We are very excited to further develop our relationship with the University of Liverpool, who are recognized leaders in Autonomy and Distributed Algorithms,” said Andrew Anderson, Ultra Maritime Chief Technology Officer. “AI/ML technologies will provide disruptive benefits to many aspects of the ASW mission, and we are looking forward to rapidly transitioning this exciting research into Ultra Maritime’s portfolio of ASW and Torpedo Defense systems.”

Professor Simon Maskell, Director of the CDT at the University of Liverpool, commented: “The CDT seeks to train students to become future leaders with a valuable combination of skills that is otherwise hard to find in a single person. Indeed, we aim to help those students acquire a synergistic understanding of both next-generation AI/ML and future computing together with a well-honed ability to solve pressing real-world problems. It is a real pleasure to see one of those students capitalizing on the training environment provided by the CDT to work closely in partnership with Ultra Maritime to make a difference in this important context.”

Ultra Maritime prides itself on investing in the future of undersea warfare solutions for allied navies worldwide. This collaboration continues to build on those investments, providing next-generation, technologically advanced AI/ML solutions for maritime domain dominance.

Ultra Maritime Signs Contract for Co-Production of U.S. Sonobuoys in India

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The initial contract between Ultra Maritime and Bharat Dynamics Limited supports production planning at Bharat Dynamics’ Visakhapatnam facility.

COLUMBIA CITY, Indiana – The contract between Ultra Maritime and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) signifies a concrete step forward in the co-production of U.S. sonobuoys in India, an initiative first announced by the White House in January of this year. Ultra Maritime and BDL have signed a Production Planning contract which will kick start the transfer of technology from the U.S. to India of U.S.-specification sonobuoys for use on India’s Maritime Patrol Aircraft, the P-8I, MH-60R and MQ-9B Sea Guardian platforms.

The work between the two companies is already well underway. BDL has made significant investments at its site in Visakhapatnam, with production and testing halls ready for the new lines. This initial contract will fund the two companies’ discussions on potential supply chain partners, requirements for production equipment, optimal production line layouts, testing processes and quality control.

Ultra Maritime, a world-leader in the design and production of undersea warfare capabilities, has partnered with BDL to supply and manufacture sonobuoys for the Indian Navy to U.S. Navy standards, with production split across the U.S. and India, in accordance with ‘Make in India’ principles. This first-of-its-kind partnership will enhance undersea domain awareness efforts for both navies, in support of the U.S.-India Bilateral Undersea Domain Awareness initiative. Production will start in 2027.

Combining Ultra Maritime’s U.S. technology and production expertise with BDL’s Indian manufacturing track record and supply chain reach shows how U.S. and Indian industry can team rapidly to respond to undersea threats in the Indo-Pacific region. Ultra Maritime’s new generation sonobuoys represent a step forward in the consistent, worldwide supply of Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities.

“We are proud to follow up on recent announcements to share that our first contract with BDL has been formalized. This step indicates the level of investment both parties are making to ensure timely delivery of world class sonobuoys, made in India,” said Ultra Maritime President and CEO, Carlo Zaffanella.   

“Bharat Dynamics Limited has signaled its intent to invest with Ultra Maritime in the signing of this contract. Not only have we prepared our site for new production lines, but the output of the Production Planning contract will give us greater confidence in building sonobuoys in India. BDL will continue to meet the operational demands of the Indian Navy while enhancing Indian self-reliance in defence capabilities,” added Chairman of BDL Commodore (ret) A. Madhavarao.

Ultra Maritime hosts Royal Canadian Navy group

Ultra Maritime Hosts Royal Canadian Navy

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Ultra Maritime had the pleasure of hosting Commodore Trevor MacLean, Capt(N) Mike Stefanson, Chief Petty Officer First Class Cavel Shebib, and CANFLTLANT Staff for a discussion on Ultra Maritime’s world-leading sonar technology. UM is the world’s premier provider of undersea warfare systems, products and solutions, delivering advanced technologies that create maritime operational advantages. This visit included a tour of our newly expanded Dartmouth facility which houses Sonobuoy production and our new Towed Array Sonar ‘Center of Excellence’.

UM invests heavily in Atlantic Canada and creates skilled jobs for a growing workforce in the Aerospace & Defense Sector.

Ultra Maritime AFCEA 2024 Invite

Ultra Maritime to attend AFCEA WEST 2024

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Dates: 13 FEB – 15 FEB

Location: San Diego Convention Center 111 W. Harbor Drive , San Diego, CA 92101

ABOUT the event:

The premier naval conference and exposition on the West Coast, WEST is now in its 34th year of bringing military and industry leaders together. Co-sponsored by AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Institute, WEST is the only event in which the makers of platforms and the designers of technologies can network, discuss and demonstrate their solutions in a single locale.

One recurring highlight of WEST is the chance to hear from the Sea Service Chiefs – the Chief of Naval Operations, the Marine Corps Commandant and the Coast Guard Commandant. In addition to the main program, WEST offers three Engagement Theaters: Marine, General, and Information Warfare. These smaller, more intimate venues allow military, government and industry professionals to drill deeper into specific topics and issues.

Mark Potter - Ultra Maritime

Ultra Maritime announces Mark Potter CSC as Vice President and General Manager of Australia Line of Business

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Adelaide, AUS:  Ultra Maritime (UM) has named Mark Potter CSC as Vice President and General Manager of the Ultra Maritime Australia Line of Business (LoB). Mark will be responsible for operational excellence, business strategy and growth and will have leadership of our Australian facilities.

UM Australia provides electronic warfare (EW) and undersea warfare capabilities to the Royal Australian Navy and other allied nations. Mark commented on his appointment: “I am excited to join Ultra Maritime at what is a truly significant time in our nation’s defence history, given the recent AUKUS announcement.”

“We, as a business, are extremely well-placed to support this mission through our capabilities and positioning. I look forward to leading the team as we continue to leverage and expand our suite of EW and underwater warfare offerings in Australia, and across Ultra Maritime, to deliver the operational advantage to our navy and nation required to combat an ever changing threat.”

Mark is well positioned to take UM Australia in to the next phase of its growth journey, joining from Babcock, where he led the Marine business in Canada and Australia and has recently been working in the United Kingdom.  He also spent 29 years in the Royal Australian Navy, finishing his career as Commander Submarine Force.

Mark reports to Carlo Zaffanella, President & CEO, and is based in the Mawson Lakes area of Australia.

Wayne Clifton - Ultra Maritime

Ultra Maritime announces Wayne Clifton as Vice President and General Manager of UK Line of Business

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Loudwater, UK:  Ultra Maritime (UM) has named Wayne Clifton as Vice President and General Manager of the Ultra Maritime UK Line of Business (LoB). Wayne will be responsible for operational excellence, business strategy and growth and will have leadership of the Weymouth, Loudwater and Greenford sites.

Prior to joining UM, Wayne led Leonardo’s Integrated Sensing and Protection LoB. His experience is well-suited to leading the rapidly evolving and growing Ultra Maritime UK LoB, which is focused on designing, producing and delivering complex electronic systems, mostly in support of undersea warfare.

“I am looking forward to leading Ultra Maritime UK, and the dedicated and talented team leveraging our exciting and innovative technologies, with the goal of ensuring we’re focused and committed on not only building sustainable growth, but always delivering on our commitments to our stakeholders, including the UK Royal Navy, who we are proud to protect every day through our innovative capabilities,” commented Wayne.

Wayne reports to Carlo Zaffanella, President & CEO, and is based in the UK.

Danielle Willard - Ultra Maritime

Ultra Maritime Announces Danielle Willard as General Counsel

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Braintree, US:  Ultra Maritime (UM) has named Danielle Willard as the company’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel. Danielle brings significant government contracting and M&A experience, and will be responsible for all risk-related functional groups, including legal, contracts, security, and compliance for the company.

Prior to joining UM, Danielle ran Jacobs’ Risk Management Group for the Divergent Solutions line of business, where she supported the cyber and intelligence US government contracting business.

“I am looking forward to learning more about our customers and the missions that we’re supporting at Ultra Maritime. I’m excited to be working across all our functions to provide an active and dynamic set of services to the business that will contribute to delivering value to our customers,” commented Danielle.

Danielle has a juris doctorate from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and serves on the Board of Directors for the Baltimore chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel and on the Board of Directors for the Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra.

Danielle reports to Carlo Zaffanella, President & CEO, and will be based in the Washington, D.C. area. 

Mark Kenny - Ultra Maritime

Ultra names Mark Kenny as Ultra Maritime’s SVP, Strategy & Business Development

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Braintree, US:  Ultra Maritime announces the appointment of Mark Kenny as Senior Vice President, Strategy & Business Development of Ultra Maritime.

In this new role, Mark will be responsible for the technical and business growth strategies to bring innovative and disruptive capabilities to the Naval warfighter.

Mark joins Ultra Maritime after serving as VP for Advanced Naval Systems and VP/GM of the Unmanned Maritime Division at L3Harris where he led the growth of unmanned maritime businesses and naval strategic development efforts. Prior to that he was CEO of Adaptive Methods, an undersea software business and was VP/GM of Special Mission Systems at Northrup Grumman.

He is a retired US Navy admiral, serving principally in submarine warfare, commanding at the submarine, squadron, and group levels during tours in the Pacific and Atlantic fleets. Mark served ashore within the Navy and Joint Staffs, including leading operational efforts in submarine and naval support of counterterrorism operations.

Mark will report to Carlo Zaffanella, President & CEO of Ultra Maritime and will be based in the Washington D.C. area.

“We are honored to welcome Mark to the Ultra Maritime team. He brings deep experience and energy from a career leading undersea and unmanned businesses and strategic growth efforts. His Naval service and reputation with current leadership will play a pivotal role in growing Ultra Maritime as we continue to deliver on our commitments to our customer,” commented Zaffanella.

Mark graduated from the United States Naval Academy and a has master’s degree from the Naval War College. He currently serves on the Advisory Council of both the Undersea Warfare Division of the NDIA and the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI).