Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Ultra secures UK STF upgrade contract with QinetiQ

Defence

Ultra secures UK STF upgrade contract with QinetiQ

Ultra has secured a contract from QinetiQ to support them in replacing the entire Sonobuoy Test Facility (STF) system at the British Underwater Test & Evaluation Centre, MoD BUTEC.

Image courtesy Ultra

This work includes replacing the Software Defined Sonobuoy Receivers (SDSRs), the Command function transmitters as well as a suite of analysis software for the Ground Monitoring Station which provides control, monitoring, recording and analysis capabilities for the Sonobuoy on test.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle

New capabilities, which include user friendly graphics and the reuse of seabed hardware to replace surface test equipment, will offer a real saving to the customer. Not having to deploy equipment manually from a small boat means the new system will be safer and less time consuming to use.

QinetiQ and Ultra will collaborate to deliver the STF requirements with QinetiQ providing the COTS computer equipment including networking, data storage and installation.

For over 70 years Ultra has supplied world-leading sonobuoys, sonobuoy receivers and sonobuoy command transmitters to navies worldwide for airborne Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW). Sonobuoys are deployed onto the sea surface and used for detection, classification and localisation of submarines. Test and training for UK sonobuoys is undertaken at the STF at MoD BUTEC in North West Scotland.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Ultra is also a world leader in multi-static acoustic processing techniques that increase the probability of detection of submarines and is at the forefront of developing solutions to enable unmanned air vehicles to conduct airborne ASW missions effectively.

Ultra Command & Sonar Systems Managing Director, Mike Williams said: “we are pleased to continue our relationship with QinetiQ in the UK, providing complex solutions for test and evaluation of underwater warfare systems and equipment.”

 

Advertisement
Security & Policing 2026
HRH The Princess Royal tours MTL Advanced in Rotherham

Aerospace Defence Events

HRH The Princess Royal tours MTL Advanced in Rotherham

10 March 2026

HRH The Princess Royal visited Rotherham based MTL Advanced (part of WEC Group) on Friday 20th February to meet apprentices, engineers and senior leadership, gaining an insight into the company’s continued investment in skills development, innovation and regional growth and learning about its new Advanced Manufacturing Centre (AMC).

ALL.SPACE and Viasat advance Ka-band connectivity

Defence Security Space

ALL.SPACE and Viasat advance Ka-band connectivity

10 March 2026

ALL.SPACE today announced a strategic collaboration with Viasat and the successful certification of the ALL.SPACE Hydra terminal to operate on the Viasat Global Xpress (GX) network, which provides integrated military Ka-band spectrum access for government and defence missions.

IFS completes acquisition of Softeon

Aerospace Defence Security Space

IFS completes acquisition of Softeon

10 March 2026

IFS today announced the completion of its acquisition of Softeon, providing enterprises across manufacturing, logistics and retail, with access to a new category of supply chain technology.

Babcock to support British Army

Defence

Babcock to support British Army's FEPS

9 March 2026

Babcock International Group has been awarded a contract to provide the British Army with in-service support for its Field Electrical Power Supplies (FEPS) power generators.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
BAE Systems OneArc selected by Danish Army

Defence

BAE Systems OneArc selected by Danish Army

9 March 2026

BAE Systems OneArc has announced that it has been selected by the Danish Army as the foundation for its next-generation enterprise virtual training environment.

Isembard raises $50m to open 25 AI-powered factories

Aerospace Defence

Isembard raises $50m to open 25 AI-powered factories

9 March 2026

UK manufacturing startup Isembard - which manufactures components for aerospace, defence and robotics in factories powered by its proprietary agentic AI platform MasonOS - today announced it has closed $50 million in Series A funding, less than 12 months after its Seed round.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
Advertisement
ECS leaderboard banner