DARTMOUTH, Nova Scotia, Oct. 02, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems (Ultra) has today announced a significant contract award from General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada.  This contract will see Ultra supply the new in-line transmitter and receiver array as part of General Dynamics’ successful win of the Underwater Warfare Suite Upgrade (UWSU) project for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).

Combined with the recently completed Halifax Class Modernization (HCM) program, the UWSU project will enable a step-change in underwater search capability that will see Canada’s Halifax Class Frigates well-equipped for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations long into the future.  Ultra’s contribution to the UWSU project will secure high-value jobs in Atlantic Canada and will strengthen Canada’s leadership role in anti-submarine warfare.

Ultra’s transmitter solution for UWSU is a made-in-Canada solution originally conceived at Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) Atlantic Research Laboratory.  The solution enables sound energy to be steered only in the direction of interest, and with the transmitter and receiver combined in-line in a single towed array, the requirement for a second independent tow for the transmitter is eliminated - allowing the single reelable array to be installed on the Halifax Class with minimal modification.  The single-tow, in-line transmitter also significantly increases the ship’s operational envelope because of the transmitter’s ability to operate at full power in shallow waters.  Ultra’s array solution for UWSU is second-generation technology that has been operationally proven with international customers.

Bernard Mills, President of Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems commented: “We are proud that our UWSU passive-active, in-line, reelable sonar brings to Canada an innovative Low Frequency Active ASW solution that will provide a significant increase in capability for the Royal Canadian Navy.”

Ultra is exhibiting from 2-4 October at DEFSEC 2018, in booth 802.                     

Based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems (Ultra) has been delivering sophisticated, cost-effective, and innovative solutions to the defence market for over 70 years.  Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems has been extremely successful in transforming its research investment into the technologically advanced underwater battlespace sensor systems that it delivers to both the Royal Canadian Navy and internationally. Today, Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems is recognized worldwide for its expertise in underwater acoustics, towed active and passive arrays, sonar sensors, and Magneto Inductive (MI) communications.

Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems is part of the Ultra Electronics Group, a world-leading group of businesses operating in the Defence & Aerospace, Security & Cyber, and Transport & Energy markets.