Innovating to meet the future undersea challenge

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2 Innovating to meet the future undersea challenge Ultra Electronics Sonar Systems is developing game-changing integrated solutions to deliver dominance in the underwater battlespace Building on a rich heritage in acoustics technology and product development going back over six decades, Ultra Electronics Sonar Systems is today acknowledged as a world leader in the design, manufacture and through-life support of advanced undersea defence solutions. Based in the UK, but also operating in Australia, Canada and the United States, Ultra has grown its Sonar business to create an enterprise that weaves in-depth domain knowledge and outstanding technical expertise with a culture of agile, responsive and independent thinking, and a consistent focus on customer delivery and support. Ultra s history in the undersea domain is firmly rooted in airborne Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW). Capitalising on this proud record, Ultra have steadily expanded their activities in the underwater battlespace to encompass: n Airborne ASW n Submarine Torpedo Defence n Submarine Surveillance Sonar n Surface Ship Sonar n Surface Ship Torpedo Defence n Mine Countermeasures (MCM) n Submarine Communications. The acoustics expertise resident in Sonar Systems has also been applied to niche applications outside the underwater arena, such as gunfire location, marine mammal monitoring, structural monitoring, and oil and gas exploration. The broader scope of the business has been accompanied by an ascent up the value chain. Having established a strong international pedigree as an equipment house and product supplier, Ultra Electronics Sonar Systems has today grown its experience and resource in programme and supply chain management, software engineering and systems integration in order to offer fully integrated system of systems solutions. Two examples from the many in recent years are the successful delivery of the UK Royal Navy s Sonar 2170 torpedo defence system, and our selection to provide the ASW integrated sonar system for the Royal Australian Navy s new Hobartclass Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs). Ultra understands that the operational undersea environment is changing, with the emphasis now focused predominantly on operations in shallow, crowded and acoustically challenging littoral regions. Moreover, the threat posed by small, ultra-quiet diesel-electric submarines is growing, particularly in key chokepoints through which much of global trade must pass. In addition, Ultra remains cognisant of the overriding requirements from customers to produce quality systems whilst reducing through-life costs. The challenge is how to best invest scarce resources so as to effectively counter the submarine threat. Ultra s answer is to embrace a new set of technologies so as to move away from traditional platformcentric concepts of operation, and instead transition to a distributed ASW concept exploiting multiple networked sensors. Ultra s mindset is to set challenges, push boundaries and deliver beyond expectations. To achieve this we combine the prized skills of our own technical, engineering and manufacturing teams with world-class best of Building co-operative partnerships As part of its long term strategy for global growth, Ultra Electronics recognises that competitive advantage in a dynamic and fast changing international market is intrinsically linked to a new collaborative export model. This reflects the fact that industrialising economies are seeking to grow their own design and manufacturing capacity. In response to this structural shift, Ultra s Sonar Systems business is pursuing a strategy of co-operative partnership in order to foster enduring relationships with overseas industrial partners. This new model, embracing both businessto-business partnerships and selective acquisitions in-country, goes beyond the export of knowledge and transfer of technology to promote genuinely collaborative technology creation. Ultra s experience in Turkey is testament to this approach. Working with Koç Information and Defense Technologies, we have met the Turkish Naval Forces requirement for advanced torpedo detection and countermeasures capabilities for their submarines. At the same time, Ultra has developed a roadmap with Koç to steadily increase local manufacture content, grow sovereign knowledge and jointly address emerging export opportunities. By leveraging the specialist skills and niche capabilities offered by local partners, Ultra is cultivating thriving relationships that will yield the world-leading solutions of tomorrow. breed partners to create tailored solutions. Ultra Electronics Sonar Systems engineering process and manufacturing capability has been shaped by its long history as the world s largest producer of expendable sonobuoys. The design, assembly and integration of these highly sensitive but ultimately single-use devices require careful balance so as to achieve the required performance and in-water reliability at an acceptable unit cost. Ultra also understands that the exploitation of technology and fostering of innovation is fundamental to our continued success. Ultra maintains a vibrant R&D programme, using Customer and PV funding, and has worked in close collaboration with a number of national and multinational defence laboratories to de-risk and demonstrate new devices and techniques. Alongside the traditional skills in software engineering and algorithm development, Ultra is paying increasingly close attention to human factors design and embedded decision-support. Intuitive display formats and operator support aids provide real tactical advantage to end user navies with previously limited experience of ASW operations. Furthermore, by fully embracing the attributes of modular, open system architectures, and applying the accumulated wealth of our in-service support experience, Ultra develops equipment solutions that are engineered from the outset to deliver value through-life. The Integrated Sonar System for AWD is the world s first fully integrated sonar system and is a sonar game-changer. Ultra s complementary work to hone multistatic active sonobuoy processing techniques delivers capability enhancement in the airborne ASW domain. n 2 Advertising Supplement Advertising Supplement 3

3 ISS leaves no hiding place for the submarine Airborne MSA: changing the ASW dynamic Drawing on its breadth of technology and deep expertise in underwater systems, Ultra is delivering a breakthrough in surface ship sonar Ultra Electronics UE-ISS 800 sonar system is pioneering the transformational concept of an Integrated Sonar System (ISS). Delivering multiple sonar components in a modular, integrated undersea warfare suite, it embodies a common multisensor processor within an open architecture system of systems framework to transition force ASW into the network-enabled multistatic domain. At the same time it eliminates the weight/ volume penalty associated with existing force ASW sensors reducing the cost of ownership through life. UE-ISS 800 provides a comprehensive ASW capability, fusing data from both own-ship and offboard sensors to build a complete underwater tactical picture. The system s design adaptively maximises water column ensonification, exploiting low frequency active sonar for long range detection and exploiting Delivering ISS for Australia s Air Warfare Destroyer A landmark prime contract was placed on Ultra Electronics Sonar Systems by Raytheon Australia in November 2008 for the manufacture, integration and test of an Integrated Sonar System (ISS) variant to equip Australia s three new Hobart class destroyers being procured under Project SEA The ISS is a softwareintensive, multi-sensor sonar suite combining technology and subsystems from Ultra businesses in Australia, Canada, the US and the UK. Ultra s enterprise model also delivers the infrastructure source code to the Commonwealth, enabling research and innovation from the Defence Science and Technology Organisation and other indigenous bodies to be pulled through into the system. multiple separate sources and receivers, including mutually cooperating monostatic sonars. Through careful selection and matching of operating frequencies within its design, UE-ISS 800 delivers bi-static sonar capability between the hull-mounted and towed array sonar elements. It also facilitates interoperability with other sensors on co-operating platforms, and incorporates multi-static ASW active and passive sonobuoy processing. UE-ISS 800 uses standard interfaces and protocols to support third party technology insertion and future capability growth. The inherent flexibility of Ultra s open architecture design, using a DDSbased communications backplane, enables individual systems to plug and play at both the component and system level. This innovative, softwareconfigurable sonar approach allows individual subsystems to both interface to, and fully integrate with, current, future and legacy equipment without major software source code modification. Ultra s open design philosophy additionally enables individual components to be integrated, replaced or refreshed as required. This translates to major through-life savings. The UE-ISS 800 sonar incorporates a novel single integrated in-line towed system with an active Dual Frequency Towed Array (DFTA), a Quad-directional Passive Receive Array (QPRA) and a torpedo defence system. This removes the need for large, expensive and complex hard-body handling systems, with all arrays operated using one lightweight single-drum winch. It allows greater freedom of manoeuvrability in confined and shallow waters, and provides for safe launch and recovery in higher sea states, and at higher speeds. The ASW control system intrinsic to the ISS offers a very high degree of automation, from detection, classification and localisation of submarines and torpedoes through to tracking, track correlation and data fusion. Sensors are integrated at both the processing and display levels; the multisource, multi-frequency processing capability available to the operator now allows for the correlation of individual detections. An intuitive HMI and command planning aids enable the full tactical exploitation of ASW sensors, and support the display of the full undersea tactical situation integrated with track data from the combat system. One novel feature is an embedded Ping Wizard tool, which simplifies optimum active sonar function selection, according to the scenario and operational environment. n Innovation in sonobuoys and airborne acoustic processing has enabled Ultra to develop state-of-the-art multistatic active solutions for the MPA community The threat of quiet diesel-electric submarines in littoral regions is spurring many nations to grow or recapitalise their anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities. In particular, there is a growing trend towards the acquisition of a new generation of affordable maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) adapted from twin-turboprop regional airliners and intermediate-size business jets. In response, Ultra Electronics has developed a new airborne ASW system of systems that capitalises on its world lead in multi-static active (MSA) acoustic processing techniques, GPS-enabled digital sonobuoys and software-defined sonobuoy receiver technology to offer MPA operators an unrivalled capability to detect, track and localise potential threat submarines swinging the ASW balance back in favour of the MPA operator - yet without incurring the substantial operating and support overheads traditionally associated with highend MPA solutions. Ultra s MSA enhances the detection of quiet submarines in both deep and littoral waters using a field of active and passive sonobuoys controlled and monitored by an airborne processing suite. It uses multiple sources and receivers positioned in different locations and echoes from active sources are picked up by a pattern of receivers which take advantage of returns at multiple submarine aspects. These multiple bi-static combinations of sonobuoys are collectively exploited to produce an accurate target track. Ultra s MSA pedigree was established through a capability demonstration programme delivered to the Royal Air Force s Nimrod MR2 maritime patrol aircraft. The programme included a series of operational sorties against quiet diesel-electric submarines and demonstrated huge ASW performance gains. The functionality is now included in Ultra s compact and lightweight airborne acoustics package offerings which meet the needs of both current and future fixed-wing MPAs, where the integrated system uses powerful MSA processing to exploit the advanced capabilities offered by the company s latest generation of active and passive sonobuoys. At the core of this system is a new Multistatic Airborne Processing System. Built on a scalable, open architecture COTS processing platform, the system executes MSA functionality, either as a standalone equipment or integrated within a larger tactical mission system, for fields of up to 32 or 64 receive buoys. Specific features include CW and FM, MSA and CAS processing, a feature tracker (which provides automatic association and tracking of multistatic echoes), multistatic energy mapping, de-multiplexing of sonobuoy telemetry, acoustic sonobuoy positioning, control of active sound sources, ping sequencing, and a highly interactive HCI. A standout feature of the airborne processing system is the operator Continued innovation in sonobuoy technology Ultra continues to push the active and passive sonobuoy envelope in both form and function. Having fully embraced the transition to digital telemetry, and now offering embedded GPS as standard, the company is introducing a new range of high performance passive buoys in a lightweight, G-size package. The Ultra all-digital HIDAR buoy is already production qualified, while development is continuing to shrink the BARRA directional sensor into a G-size enclosure. Smaller size and reduced weight permits increased sonobuoy payloads on the latest generation of intermediate-size MPAs. It also opens the way through further miniaturisation to novel forward deployment options using unmanned air vehicles or unmanned surface craft. Further ahead, advances in processing and networking offer the prospect of using the MPA as a means to deploy sonobuoys and then serve as a receiver/relay for off-platform processing. This approach opens up new opportunities for operators of smaller MPAs where remote processing is an attractive option. Another strand of development is looking at additional in-buoy processing. As well as reducing the burden on the processing platform, this would reduce bandwidth requirements and open the way to innovative sonobuoy field management techniques, such as using burst transmissions to extend battery life and prolong the interval before re-seeding. display format. Ultra s simple and intuitive user-centric interface based on animated geographic and other displays, is supported by a range of operator aids. Allied to the airborne processor is a lightweight multi-channel sonobuoy receiver. Ultra already supplies its ARR-502(V) family of receivers for a number of airborne applications; more recently, the company has developed a Software Defined Sonobuoy Receiver that supports both AM and FM demodulation for analogue and digital sonobuoys, and supports growth for future sonobuoy variants, including STANAG 4718 future sonobuoy digital telemetry. n 4 Advertising Supplement Advertising Supplement 5

4 Torpedo defence: pacing the future threat Enabling the future MCM system of systems Building on its proven Sea Sentor solution, Ultra Electronics is advancing the development of a next generation torpedo defence system to counter a new generation of weapons The proliferation among regional navies of ultra-quiet submarines armed with potent heavyweight torpedoes is driving many naval forces to invest in reactive surface ship torpedo defence (SSTD) systems to provide soft-kill protection for high-value naval units. Ultra has supplied a variant of its Sea Sentor system, known as Sonar 2170, to meet the Royal Navy s fleetwide SSTD requirement; a variant has been selected for the Turkish Naval Forces MILGEM corvette programme. Sea Sentor is a compact, modular and self-contained point defence system that integrates advanced torpedo detection, classification and localisation (TDCL) techniques with a suite of softkill countermeasures (comprising both off board expendable devices and a towed decoy). In operation, Sea Sentor detects active and passive homing torpedoes at sufficient range to enable the deployment of acoustic countermeasures to maximise the Enhancing submarine survivability Leveraging torpedo detection, classification and localisation (DCL) technology and countermeasures techniques previously proven in the surface ship arena, Ultra is now applying its accrued soft-kill knowledge to the Sea Crypsis submarine torpedo countermeasures system. Sea Crypsis combines inboard DCL processing, tactical advice, countermeasure launchers and expendable acoustic decoys. Receiving inputs from multiple acoustic sensors, the DCL subsystem is designed to determine the specific threat weapons engaging a submarine and counter them through a combination of recommended evasive manoeuvres and the deployment of expendable countermeasures. Both static and mobile countermeasure devices can be ejected, with preprogrammed responses designed to be effective against a broad span of active and passive torpedo homing heads. An omni-directional wideband noise jammer is also available to provide masking. In 2011 Ultra was awarded a contract by Koç Information and Defense Technologies for the supply of the Sea Crypsis system for the Turkish Naval Forces New Type Submarine programme. Under this cooperational partnership, Ultra and Koç will deliver inboard equipment and expendable decoys for six new Type 214 AIP submarines. probability of vessel survivability. It uses a dedicated high frequency passive digital array and intercept towed sensor to achieve detection; this sensor is deployed to a depth below the surface layer, so providing for a significantly increased detection range over a hull-mounted sonar. Automatic TDCL functionality is hosted on COTS processing technology located within the Sea Sentor electronics cabinet. Associated threat evaluation software provides full torpedo and countermeasure manoeuvre and action to the command, and automatically initiates countermeasures actions relevant to the specific threat. Expendable acoustic countermeasures, designed to seduce incoming torpedoes away from the host ship, are fired from launchers mounted port and starboard. An in-line flexible towed acoustic body, streamed behind the vessel, incorporates a multi-mode countermeasures device. The basic architecture of Sea Sentor has been engineered to enable capability growth to pace future threats. One key evolution is the demonstration of an active DCL capability that would enable the reliable detection, at extended range, of future, very quiet, torpedo threats. This work will mature a robust technical solution and culminate in an at-sea demonstration by the end of By capitalising on the improved detection performance provided by an active torpedo detection sensor, Ultra are exploring how Sea Sentor can be grown to provide the basis for an area SSTD system that would perform control and deconfliction of torpedo defence at a force-level. This would introduce a software-based module applying embedded real-time operational tactics to manage the optimisation of the force-level SSTD posture and response as dictated by the threat scenario. It would also provide a means for the force commander to automate the co-ordination and execution of area-wide undersea defence operations through optimal use of defensive assets, a higher degree of force collaboration, and rapid situational understanding. n Ultra s novel open architecture approach provides a mechanism to integrate and enable next-generation offboard systems With the objective of removing the individual from the minefield, a number of navies are formulating plans for next-generation networkenabled mine countermeasures (MCM) systems that exploit advances in unmanned maritime vehicles to remotely deploy MCM sensor and effector payloads from safe stand-off ranges. The challenge of operating multiple unmanned vehicles in a networked environment is driving examination of the naval architecture and physical integration issues associated with the engineering of modular, multi-mission platform concepts. However, an equally important consideration is the development of a scalable plug and play operational support environment as the means by which to integrate individual payloads, and then plan, execute and analyse discrete missions. It is this latter challenge that Ultra Electronics is addressing through its Maritime Modular Combat Support (MMCS) suite. MMCS marries the inherent flexibility of a modern open architecture computing environment with software-based equipment adaptors based on open publish/subscribe standards to create a scalable mission support system of systems. Ultra s MMCS approach takes an inclusive and systematic approach to mission management, and seeks to deliver significant operational and logistical benefits through the adoption of common processes, and concepts of operation. The need to integrate a diverse set of sensors and effectors has led us to define a generic open architecture. Each mission package is, at a system level, defined as a functional component connected to the system by means of a standardised open software interface. Translating message sets for each component into a common, universally recognised format enables system components to communicate with each other by means of a standard data centric publish/subscribe mechanism (such as DDS or Corba). It also means that individual functional components (such as minehunting sonars, unmanned vehicles and effectors) can be modified or exchanged independent of the underlying MMCS architecture. Another advantage of the MMCS is the adoption of a standardised human computer interface with a common graphical user interface. This means that as well as raw sensor outputs, the system will be able to assemble beamformed data into a consistent common picture independent of the sensor being used. A further option is the packaging of MMCS into a containerised system that could support operations from suitable craft-of-opportunity, or from shoreside. This would support emerging requirements for portable and/or organic capabilities that could be rapidly transported into theatre in the absence of dedicated vessels. Ultra is also seeking to apply its expertise to the unmanned systems that will enable the realisation of future offboard MCM concepts. In particular we are able to draw on the lessons learned from the in-service support of the Royal Navy s Seafox one-shot remote mine disposal system, taking particular cognizance of the importance of human factors and system handling to mission success. n 6 Advertising Supplement Advertising Supplement 7

5 Delivering connectivity at depth The innovative exploitation of fibre-optic technology offers a means for submarines to stay in touch while submerged Submerged operation and stealthy posture have historically militated against the submarine accessing and exchanging information with a task group or shore-based operating authority. This lack of real time information exchange has reduced the effectiveness of the submarine in direct support. In today s increasingly networked battlespace, there is a growing understanding that the sub-surface community must bring on board improvements in connectivity, bandwidth and data rate so as to remain relevant in an information-led age. At the same time, communications should not compromise covertness, and it is to address this complex operational and technical challenge that Ultra has developed an innovative communications enabler known as the Recoverable Tethered Optical Fibre (RTOF) system. Founded on knowledge accrued during a UK/US Technology Demonstrator Programme, RTOF allows a communication payload to be deployed to the surface without impinging on the host submarine s ability to maintain speed and depth. The RTOF buoy is connected to the submarine by a high bandwidth, neutrally buoyant fibre-optic tether. This is paid out from the host submarine at close to zero tension using a computer-controlled electric winch, which allows the buoy to remain stationary on the sea surface without creating a plume or wake during deployment, operation or recovery. This ensures that the submerged submarine remains uncompromised. Building on modelling, hardware prototyping and at-sea trials, Ultra can offer a family of scaled RTOF solutions tailored to specific operational missions and submarine platform constraints. These include a compact version RTOF suitable for integration in smaller conventional submarines. n Acoustic technology to support force protection Taking its passive acoustic processing expertise out of the ocean and onto the battlefield, Ultra has developed a self-contained family of Gunfire Locators to provide dismounted soldiers with a means to rapidly pinpoint the source of incoming hostile fire. Lightweight, rugged and waterproofed, the Rifle-Mounted Gunfire Locator (RMGL) system is configured to fit on any infantry weapon by means of a Picatinny Rail or suitable fixture point. Ultra s RMGL determines the direction of hostile fire by applying frequency-domain signal processing techniques to measure the phase shifts between transducers fitted in a 5cm diameter detector array mounted on the rifle or sight. Hostile fire information (such as range, bearing, elevation) is presented in a user-friendly format that intuitively directs aim to the source of fire. Extensive trials have demonstrated 95% probability of correct detection and localisation of hostile fire. More recently, pre-production RMGL systems have shown their effectiveness during live operations. The same generic acoustic gunfire location technology is now being adapted for additional applications and networked to provide improved situational awareness for a fixed infrastructure, such as a forward base complex. Ultra Electronics Sonar Systems 419 Bridport Road, Greenford, Middlesex UB6 8UA, England Tel: +44 (0) Advertising Supplement