A Massachusetts-based company is set to start production of devices that are used to detect submarines underwater. Ultra Maritime has received a contract from the U.S. Navy to begin producing the AN/SSQ-125B sonobuoys.
These devices are small, expendable sensors dropped into the ocean—usually from aircraft—that act like temporary underwater listening systems, capturing sound signals and transmitting them back for analysis.
Designed to detect quieter, more advanced submarines
Reports have revealed that the newer SSQ-125B version is designed to detect quieter and more advanced submarines at greater distances and in complex ocean environments, making it a significant upgrade for modern anti-submarine warfare operations.
The company has been awarded a Sole Source Firm Fixed Priced contract for the AN/SSQ-125B Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) for the U.S. Navy in support of annual training, peacetime operations and testing expenditures, as well as to maintain sufficient inventory to support the execution of major combat operations based on naval munitions requirements process.
Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) technology
“This award marks a significant milestone for Ultra Maritime in the advancement of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) technology for the U.S. Navy. As adversary undersea threats grow increasingly stealthy and technologically sophisticated, the Q-125B is designed to enable detection of even the quietest submarines at greater ranges than ever before,” said Carlo Zaffanella, President and CEO of Ultra Maritime.
“This enhanced performance and extended detection area delivers substantial improvements to the ASW kill chain, providing operators with clearer acoustic data and faster, more confident decision-making.”
Emphasis on improving submarine detection capabilities
The contract allows the Navy to begin producing and deploying these sonobuoys for training, operational use, and inventory buildup. The announcement reflects a growing emphasis on improving submarine detection capabilities as underwater threats become more advanced. It also highlights Ultra Maritime’s role as a key supplier of next-generation sonar and anti-submarine technologies.
As the undersea battlespace becomes increasingly complex, the need for greater resilience against challenging acoustic environments is critical. The Q-125B incorporates advanced signal processing and improved acoustic performance to operate effectively in demanding ocean conditions. To bring this new capability forward, Ultra Maritime has made strategic internal investments in cutting-edge sonar technologies and purpose-built manufacturing facilities dedicated to the development and production of next-generation sonobuoys, according to a press release.
These investments ensure production readiness, scalability to meet growing demand, and long-term sustainment of critical ASW capabilities. Backed by deep domain expertise in acoustic engineering and manufacturing excellence, Ultra Maritime continues to lead the evolution of sonobuoy technology, according to the company.
Reports have revealed that traditional detection methods are becoming less effective as submarine technology advances, so systems like the AN/SSQ-125B are designed to improve sensitivity, signal processing, and performance in challenging acoustic conditions such as shallow waters or areas with high background noise (like shipping lanes or rough seas).
These sonobuoys typically work as part of a larger network, where multiple buoys are deployed over a wide area to create an underwater surveillance grid, allowing operators to triangulate and track submarine movements more accurately, as per reports.