SEA Wins a UK Defence Innovation Contract for AUKUS Maritime Innovation Challenge

SEA has won a funding contract from UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) for the 2025 AUKUS Maritime Innovation Challenge. With the funding, SEA will enhance its Underwater Acoustic Modelling Toolset software for Acoustic Communications (AComms) to maximise Acomms range and mission coverage.

Focused on developing next-generation technology to enhance trilateral undersea warfare and Command and Control (C2) capabilities, the AUKUS Maritime Innovation Challenge falls under Pillar 2 of the AUKUS agreement. It brings together academia and defence sectors of each nation (Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States) to develop advanced military capabilities. The Challenge focused on undersea communications and control of autonomous systems.

Building on more than 20 years of research into the underwater environment, SEA’s Underwater Acoustic Modelling Toolset software will be enhanced with AComms performance prediction and will evolve to mission needs by responding to variations in requirement and operational scenario constraints.

The toolset provides performance prediction to enable optimisation of the acoustic system in complex ocean environments. It uses high resolution environmental input data and sophisticated acoustic modelling to maximise performance by enhancing sensor placement and frequency band for the prevailing environment. 

The toolset also leverages SEA’s Ambient Noise Prediction System, which is in operational use with the UK Royal Navy and currently provides global ambient noise forecasts to the Royal Navy fleet, with SEA providing continuous support and upgrades.

Ian Cox, Head of Research at SEA, said, “The 2025 AUKUS Maritime Innovation Challenge was a highly competitive multi-national programme, and we are proud to be one of four companies selected by UKDI to further develop and test our Underwater Acoustic Modelling Toolset. This recognition reflects our long-standing heritage in underwater environmental research and strengthens our position as an independent supplier of underwater environmental modelling expertise. We look forward to advancing our software to meet the evolving command-and-control needs of underwater systems, supporting the aims of AUKUS and strengthening allied underwater capabilities.”

Jeremy Brookes, Principal Advisor Digital Advantage C41SR at UKDI, said, “Reliable underwater communications are critical to delivering effective situational awareness, command and control, and the operation of autonomous systems in the maritime domain. SEA has a strong track record in underwater environmental modelling and acoustic performance prediction, with the company providing expertise and support to the UK Royal Navy.

“The funding from the 2025 AUKUS Maritime Innovation Challenge will support the next stage of development of SEA's Acoustic Modelling Toolset and its integration with Acoustic Communications capabilities to enhance undersea communications and control of autonomous systems.”

Supporting SEA’s sustained global growth, this contract builds on the company’s success in exporting advanced fleet protection and ASW capabilities, which was recently recognised with the prestigious King’s Award for International Trade. It also follows the company’s expansion and investment in its manufacturing facilities, which provides skilled jobs across the South West.