What Advanced Acoustic Concepts does

Advanced Acoustic Concepts (AAC), founded in 1989, is a U.S. defense contractor that designs and delivers undersea warfare (USW) solutions for the U.S. Navy. The company is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thales Defense & Security Inc. following its July 2023 acquisition, and operates from its headquarters in Great River, New York, with reported headcount of 251-500 employees. Its customer base is concentrated entirely within U.S. defense agencies, including Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), NAVAIR, DARPA, and the Office of Naval Research.

AAC's portfolio is built around three integrated product lines. Integrated Systems provides open architecture COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) processing for surface ship combat systems, enabling rapid capability insertion. Sensors & Weapon Platforms covers sonar detection/classification and torpedo defense systems purpose-built for the undersea environment. Training, Support & Software Capabilities delivers high-fidelity simulation and stimulation systems for USW operator training. Together, the lines span the lifecycle from sensor through combat management to training, with a stated emphasis on open architecture and COTS-based designs that accelerate capability delivery to the fleet.

AAC makes money primarily as a defense engineering services and systems supplier, with revenue streams spanning hardware sales (sensors, weapon platforms, integrated combat system content) and professional services (software development, integration, and high-fidelity training/simulation). Pricing is quote-based and competitive-bid under standard U.S. government procurement processes, with no publicly disclosed pricing. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales into defense procurement agencies and prime contractor partners (Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, CAE, Huntington Ingalls, Textron among others), positioning AAC as both a niche prime and a sub-tier supplier within the U.S. defense industrial base.

Name

Advanced Acoustic Concepts

Legal name

Advanced Acoustic Concepts

Website

https://aactech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Advanced Acoustic Concepts is a U.S. defense contractor (a wholly-owned Thales Defense & Security Inc. subsidiary since July 2023) that designs and delivers undersea warfare solutions - sonar sensors, torpedo defense, open architecture COTS combat systems, and high-fidelity training simulators - for U.S. Navy agencies including NAVSEA, NAVAIR, DARPA, and ONR.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Undersea Warfare / Naval Defense Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Naval Sensors & Sonar Systems (IMABAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sonar, Undersea Sensors & Acoustic Detection Systems (IMABAGAD), Naval Combat Systems Integration & Mission Systems (IMABAKAB), Naval Training, Simulation & Shore-Based Support Systems (IMABAKAO), Torpedoes & Undersea Weapons (IMABAHAF)

Keywords

• Undersea warfare systems
• Sonar detection sensors
• Torpedo defense systems
• Surface ship combat systems
• Naval training simulation

Headquarters

HQ city

Hauppauge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Defense Systems and Sensors: Design and delivery of technologically advanced undersea warfare systems including sensors, weapon platforms, and integrated combat systems to U.S. Navy and defense agencies
2. Training and Support Services: Design and delivery of training systems, support services, and software capabilities for undersea warfare training and operations
3. Software Capabilities: Software development and integration services for combat systems and training simulation

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Advanced Acoustic Concepts designs and delivers undersea warfare systems and supporting software for the U.S. Navy, organized into three core product lines: Integrated Systems (open architecture COTS processing for surface ship combat systems), Sensors and Weapon Platforms (sonar-based submarine detection, classification, and torpedo defense), and Training, Support, and Software Capabilities (high-fidelity simulation-based training systems and software). The company focuses on rapid incorporation of new capabilities for warfighters operating in the undersea environment.

Product overview

Advanced Acoustic Concepts (AAC), a Thales Group company founded in 1989, provides World Class Undersea Warfare Solutions for the U.S. Navy. The company's portfolio consists of three integrated core offerings: Integrated Systems (open architecture COTS Processing for surface ship combat systems), Sensors & Weapon Platforms (advanced undersea warfare systems), and Training, Support, & Software Capabilities (high-fidelity simulation and stimulation training systems). Together, these products deliver comprehensive undersea warfare capabilities from sensor detection through training and support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Integrated Systems Open architecture COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) processing solutions for surface ship combat systems that enable rapid incorporation of new capabilities for U.S. Navy warfighters, supporting strategic advantage over adversaries in undersea warfare.
• Sensors & Weapon Platforms Technologically advanced undersea warfare sensors and weapon platforms designed to address constantly changing complex global security challenges in the undersea environment, supporting submarine detection, classification, and torpedo defense for the U.S. Navy.
• Training, Support, & Software Capabilities Highly interactive training systems based on high-fidelity models, simulation, and stimulation, along with associated support and software capabilities, designed for undersea warfare training and operator readiness.

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Thales Defense & Security Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThales Defense & Security Inc. acquired Advanced Acoustic Concepts in July 2023, integrating AAC into the Thales Group's global defense portfolio. This acquisition positions AAC within a major international defense electronics group while maintaining its specialized USW focus.
• BoeingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner listed on AAC website as part of defense industrial base collaboration ecosystem
• Lockheed MartinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner listed on AAC website as part of defense industrial base collaboration ecosystem
• Northrop GrummanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner listed on AAC website as part of defense industrial base collaboration ecosystem
• CAEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining and simulation partner listed on AAC website, potentially collaborating on high-fidelity training system solutions
• Huntington IngallsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerShipbuilding partner listed on AAC website, potentially collaborating on naval platform integration
• TextronminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense industry partner listed on AAC website as part of defense industrial base collaboration ecosystem
• Element DefenseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense industry partner listed on AAC website as part of industry collaboration network
• PacSci EMCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerospace and defense supplier partner listed on AAC website, potentially collaborating on precision motion and aerospace solutions

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• CAE: Global leader in defense training and simulation with substantial naval training programs, including undersea warfare training. Listed as an AAC partner; directly competes in the high-fidelity USW training simulation segment where AAC offers its third product line.
• L3Harris Technologies: Major US defense prime with substantial sonar, acoustic sensor, and undersea warfare systems portfolio serving the US Navy. Directly competes with AAC across sonar detection, signal processing, and integrated undersea warfare solutions for surface combatants and submarines.
• General Dynamics Mission Systems: Develops undersea warfare systems, sonar processing, and naval combat management systems for the US Navy surface and submarine fleet. Competes directly with AAC in integrated combat systems and acoustic signal processing for surface combatants.
• Leonardo DRS: US-based naval electronics provider offering sonar, acoustic sensors, and undersea warfare subsystems for the US Navy. Closely comparable to AAC as a mid-sized specialist in naval acoustic and combat system integration.
• Ultra Maritime (Ultra Electronics): Pure-play undersea warfare specialist with a portfolio of sonars, acoustic sensors, and torpedo defense systems serving the US Navy and allied navies. Most directly comparable niche peer to AAC in sonar and underwater acoustic detection.
• ATLAS ELEKTRONIK: German undersea warfare specialist owned by Thales Group — effectively a sister company to AAC within the same parent. Competes in sonar systems, USW combat management, and undersea sensors, providing a benchmark for AAC's capabilities within Thales' portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• BAE Systems (Electronic Systems): Provides sonar systems, undersea warfare sensors, and electronic warfare solutions for US and allied navies. Directly competes with AAC in sonar and acoustic detection, while operating a much broader naval and land defense portfolio.
• Northrop Grumman: Operates extensive undersea warfare, submarine sensors, and naval combat systems businesses serving the US Navy. Listed as an AAC industry partner but also a direct competitor in integrated USW systems and submarine detection technologies.
• Raytheon (RTX): Large diversified defense prime with significant sonar arrays, undersea sensors, and naval combat systems offerings. Competes with AAC in surface ship ASW and undersea sensing, but as part of a much broader portfolio spanning missiles, radar, and space.
• Lockheed Martin: Operates substantial naval undersea warfare programs including submarine combat systems and surface ship ASW integrations. Listed as an AAC industry partner; competes on integrated mission systems and undersea domain awareness offerings.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/advanced-acoustics-concepts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Advanced Acoustic Concepts