Lockheed Martin announces acquisition of Ultra Maritime

A computer generated image of a General Atomics MQ-9B UAV deploying sonobuoys. General Atomics has teamed with Ultra Maritime to integrate its sonobuoy technology with the MQ-9B. (Ultra Maritime)

Lockheed Martin has signed a definitive agreement with Cobham Ultra, an Advent portfolio company, to acquire Ultra Maritime for USD3.45 billion, the company announced in a 6 July statement.

Ultra Maritime specialises in “advanced undersea warfare and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities … including sonar technologies, sonobuoys, torpedo defence systems, and autonomous maritime sensing platforms”, the Lockheed Martin statement said.

“Ultra Maritime's international footprint and portfolio of exportable ASW products, such as its sonobuoys, towed sonar arrays, and hull-mounted sonar product lines, will complement and expand Lockheed Martin's ability to offer sonar solutions across next-gen maritime platforms,” according to the Lockheed Martin statement.

Advent acquired Ultra Maritime in 2022 and over the last three years has invested USD170 million in “advanced product development and dedicated manufacturing capabilities to accelerate the company's technology roadmap, significantly improve delivery times, and expand production capacity”, Advent said in a 6 July statement.

This included significant investment in building Ultra Maritime as a “fully independent, end-to-end sonobuoy provider”, the Advent statement said.

Advent's strategy has strengthened Ultra Maritime's position in the market, the statement added, noting that “in 2025, Ultra Maritime announced strategic partnerships with Anduril Industries, to advance next-generation autonomous ocean sensing, and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, to develop unmanned airborne anti-submarine warfare capabilities”.

If the deal closes successfully, Ultra Maritime will become part of Lockheed Martin's Rotary and Mission Systems business area, the Lockheed Martin statement said.

Lockheed Martin declined to answer further Janes questions about the acquisition.

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