Lockheed Martin signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ultra Maritime, a global undersea warfare company, for $3.45 billion, announced on July 6, 2026, strengthening its portfolio of anti-submarine and naval defense capabilities for allied forces.
Ultra Maritime develops and delivers mission-critical systems including sonar technologies, sonobuoys, torpedo defense systems, radar solutions, and autonomous maritime sensing platforms. The company currently serves allied navies across more than 30 countries worldwide.
Stephanie C. Hill, president of Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, stated in the official announcement: “Undersea superiority belongs to those who move fastest and work together best. By joining forces with Ultra Maritime, we’re accelerating our commitment to deliver the most advanced undersea and anti-submarine warfare capabilities to our U.S. and allied partners across the globe.”
Ultra Maritime was previously owned by private equity firm Advent, which had invested in the company in 2022. Shonnel Malani, managing partner at Advent and chair of the board at Ultra Electronics, noted that Ultra Maritime had been underinvested when Advent acquired it but is now “a stronger, more innovative partner to allied navies, with improved execution, greater industrial capacity and next-generation autonomous solutions.”
Upon closing, Ultra Maritime will become part of Lockheed Martin’s Rotary and Mission Systems business area, which oversees more than 1,000 programs spanning helicopters, integrated air and missile defense, littoral warfare, undersea warfare, and radar systems. The acquisition expands Lockheed Martin’s ability to offer sonar solutions across next-generation maritime platforms, complementing its existing undersea defense portfolio.
Ultra Maritime’s international footprint and exportable anti-submarine warfare products position the combined entity to strengthen undersea capabilities across the U.S. Navy and allied naval forces, addressing growing undersea threats in contested maritime environments.
Sources
- Lockheed Martin — official press release announcing the acquisition agreement and strategic rationale
- WSJ — confirmed the $3.45 billion deal and buyer/seller identities
- Reuters — reported the acquisition and Ultra Maritime’s focus on naval defense
- Breaking Defense — provided details on Ultra Maritime’s integration into Rotary and Mission Systems
- GovCon Wire — confirmed the acquisition and Ultra Maritime’s anti-submarine and undersea portfolio
