General Dynamics, Marport partner on sonar technologies

General Dynamics Canada and Marport C-Tech Ltd. have signed a memorandum of understanding that lays the foundation for collaboration on a line of new naval sonar products.

Under the MOU, the two companies will work together to jointly develop and market next-generation underwater acoustic products to enhance military intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, the two companies said in a joint statement.

The projects will use Marport’s software-defined sonar technology, company officials said in the announcement. Originally developed to address commercial fishing needs, software-defined sonar technology offers an advanced alternative to traditional hardware-based sonar product development.

The companies plan to integrate Marport’s software-defined sonar technology with General Dynamics Canada’s Open Architecture Acoustics Processing Application Suite to boost advanced processing capabilities for airborne and naval acoustics operators.

The teaming effort is designed to meet the ISR needs of surface vessels and maritime and patrol aircraft and helicopters by providing existing and new products for hull-mounted and variable depth sonar, underwater navigation and sonobuoy processing systems, and unmanned underwater vehicles. Other products will provide for needs in the areas of distributed remote sensing and undersea acoustic communications.