ADELAIDE, Australia — May 29, 2026 : Ultra Maritime Australia has been awarded a contract by the Australian Department of Defence to supply Acoustic Device Countermeasure (ADC) units for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), continuing a defence partnership that has spanned more than a decade in support of Australia’s undersea warfare and torpedo defence capabilities.
The ADC units form part of Ultra Maritime’s Sea Deceptor family of torpedo countermeasures and are designed to provide “soft-kill” protection against incoming torpedo threats. The expendable systems are engineered to detect, classify, confuse, and defeat hostile torpedoes through intelligent acoustic outputs tailored to mimic a vessel’s acoustic signature, helping divert or deceive incoming weapons during maritime operations.
Designed for rapid deployment and reliable performance in complex operational environments, the ADC systems are intended to enhance survivability for naval surface ships operating in contested undersea environments. Ultra Maritime is also the manufacturer of ADC systems currently in service with the U.S. Navy, UK Royal Navy, and Royal Australian Navy, with more than 35,000 units delivered globally to date.
The new contract complements Ultra Maritime’s previous selection to provide the Surface Ship Torpedo Defence (SSTD) system for the Royal Australian Navy’s Hunter-class frigates, currently under development by BAE Systems Maritime Australia. The SSTD integrates a towed array with automatic threat detection and alert functions, enabling a layered “sense-to-effect” torpedo defence capability that links detection systems with countermeasure deployment while reducing operator workload.
In addition to the SSTD system, Ultra Maritime’s Hull Mounted Sonar, including the 2150 Bow Sonar, has been selected for integration into the Hunter-class program, strengthening undersea surveillance and protection capabilities across the future RAN fleet. Together, these systems are intended to support integrated undersea protection and improved operational readiness for Australia’s surface combatants.
Operating in Australia for more than 15 years with a presence in Mawson Lakes, South Australia, Ultra Maritime continues to expand cooperation with domestic industry partners, including BAE Systems Maritime Australia, as part of ongoing naval modernization efforts. The contract value and delivery timeline for the ADC procurement were not disclosed by the company or the Australian Department of Defence.
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