Ultra Electronics to lead Canadian Surface Combatant underwater systems integration

Lockheed Martin Canada has subcontracted Nova Scotia-based Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems for work on the integration of underwater systems on the Royal Canadian Navy’s future surface combatants.

Photo: BAE Systems

Ultra, as the anti-submarine warfare lead, will provide a low-frequency active and passive towed sonar system paired with a hull-mounted sonar.

These sensors will be integrated with sonobuoys and other capabilities for wide-area underwater battlespace surveillance.

Canada’s 15 future surface combatants will be built by Irving Shipbuilding as prime contractor at the Halifax Shipyard. The Canadian government and Irving Shipbuilding officially awarded the warship construction contract to the BAE Systems-Lockheed Martin team earlier this month. BAE’s Type 26 Global Combat Ship design was put forward by a team comprised of six companies, including CAE, L3 Technologies, MDA, and Ultra Electronics.

“As the underwater warfare lead, we are using our considerable depth of ASW experience and capability to ensure Canada’s new ships will provide an enduring operational advantage to the Royal Canadian Navy,” Bernard Mills, president of Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems, said. “This work will also generate high-tech jobs in Nova Scotia for sonar design and manufacturing, add to our existing significant export capability, and maintain Canada’s position in the top tier of advanced ASW nations in the world.”