Active & Passive Sonar Demonstrated for Autonomous Undersea Warfare

Ultra Maritime has validated a new integrated active-passive sonar capability for persistent undersea surveillance during the U.S. Navy’s 2026 Lanternfish exercise.

The operational demonstration combined two distinct acoustic systems: the Sea Spear deployable passive sonar and the newly developed SSQ-125B active sonobuoy. By using passive sonar for initial detection alongside active sonobuoy technology for precise localization, the system successfully detected and localized unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). The exercise represents a major step toward validating an acoustic architecture engineered for future autonomous counter-UUV and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations.

At the center of the demonstration was the SSQ-125B, a next-generation active sonobuoy designed and manufactured exclusively by Ultra Maritime. As the only active sonobuoy of its kind, the system delivers enhanced detection and localization capabilities that complement the continuous passive sensing provided by Sea Spear. Together, the paired technologies form an integrated detection ecosystem intended to extend the range, persistence, and effectiveness of autonomous ASW missions.

The trial advances Ultra Maritime’s “Ocean of Things” vision, which aims to establish a distributed, intelligent network of autonomous underwater sensors. Capable of being deployed from both manned and unmanned platforms, the scalable architecture provides a continuous, real-time picture of the undersea battlespace. The solution can be configured for a variety of mission profiles, including port and critical infrastructure protection, maritime choke point security, expeditionary operations, and long-duration surveillance of strategically vital waterways.