Ultra Maritime tests next-generation multistatic sonobuoy in Scottish waters

June 11, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

Ultra Maritime has completed the first in-water deployment trial of its next-generation multistatic active receive sonobuoy (MSARS) in Scotland, marking a significant milestone in advancing anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities in the UK.

To support faster operational deployment in response to evolving hybrid warfare threats, Ultra Maritime is working with General Atomics to integrate MSARS and other G-size sonobuoys onto the MQ-9B SeaGuardian platform.

As the sole manufacturer of G-size sonobuoys, Ultra Maritime said the compact systems are particularly suited for unmanned aerial system operations, offering “greater flexibility and endurance” in contested maritime environments.

The integration is expected to extend operational reach, increase sonobuoy carrying capacity, and support distributed multistatic anti-submarine warfare operations, enhancing the ability of allied forces to detect and track increasingly capable undersea threats.

MSARS was developed with support from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), part of the UK Ministry of Defense’s National Armaments Director Group.

The system contributes to the objectives of the Atlantic Bastion program, which seeks to expand autonomous anti-submarine warfare capabilities through the use of uncrewed air systems while also improving the effectiveness of crewed platforms such as the Merlin Mk2.

In December 2025, the UK launched its ambitious Atlantic Bastion program, aiming to strengthen the Royal Navy and transform its submarine-hunting capabilities across the North Atlantic. The program will combine autonomous vessels and AI with warships and aircraft to create a highly advanced hybrid force to protect undersea cables and pipelines.