What AAC does

Advanced Acoustic Concepts (AAC) is a U.S. defense contractor specializing in undersea warfare (USW) solutions, founded in 1989 in Ronkonkoma, NY, and now operating as a wholly-owned, FOCI-mitigated subsidiary of Thales Defense & Security, Inc. since 2022 (previously a joint venture between Thales and Leonardo DRS from 2011 to 2022). The company designs and manufactures sonar systems, torpedo components, sonobuoys, mine countermeasure platforms, surface-ship ASW combat systems, and acoustic simulation/training software for the U.S. Navy and allied navies.

AAC's portfolio is organized across three product lines: Sensors & Weapon Platforms (CAPTAS-4 variable depth sonar, SAMDIS synthetic aperture mine detection sonar, MCAPS and SonoFlash sonobuoys, MK48 torpedo electronic components, ANGLER mine neutralization ROV); Integrated Systems (AN/SQQ-89(V)15 surface ship ASW combat system with open-architecture COTS hypervisor, Next Generation Combat System, Mission-in-a-Box deployable command/control node, LCS Mission Package Computing Environment); and Training, Support & Software (CASE/CASE-R physics-based acoustic simulation for NAVAIR ASW platforms, Common Mission Package Trainer, Mission Module On Board Trainer). Manufacturing and integration are concentrated at the Lemont Furnace, PA facility, with engineering in Maryland and headquarters in Great River, NY.

Revenue is generated through direct U.S. government contracts (NAVSEA, NAVAIR, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, DARPA, ONR), defense prime subcontracts (Lockheed Martin for AN/SQQ-89(V), Fincantieri for Constellation-class frigate), and Foreign Military Sales via the MK48 program. AAC holds a sole-source $137 million/10-year MK48 contract (June 2025) and a CAPTAS-4 contract allowing up to 10 transmitter assembly systems for the FFG-62 frigate program. The company does not publicly disclose pricing; all contracts flow through competitive bidding or sole-source designations governed by classified government procurement.

Name

AAC

Legal name

Advanced Acoustic Concepts, LLC

Website

https://advancedacousticconcepts.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 and Thales subsidiary that designs undersea warfare sonar systems, MK48 torpedo components, sonobuoys, surface-ship ASW combat systems, and acoustic simulation software for the U.S. Navy and allied navies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Undersea Warfare Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)

akta.pro primary industry

Sonar, Undersea Sensors & Acoustic Detection Systems (IMABAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Torpedoes & Undersea Weapons (IMABAHAF), Submarine Weapons Launch & Handling Systems Manufacturing (Tubes, VLS, Racks) (IMAJAOAI), Naval Weapons & Launch Systems (Guns, VLS, Torpedoes) (IMABAKAC)

Keywords

• Undersea warfare systems
• Anti-submarine warfare
• Sonar systems
• Torpedo components
• Acoustic simulation

Headquarters

HQ city

Hauppauge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. U.S. Navy Defense Contracts: AAC generates revenue through government defense contracts with the U.S. Navy and other Department of Defense entities. Contracts include sole-source awards for specialized torpedo components (MK48 contract valued at approximately $137M over 10 years), sonar systems (CAPTAS-4 for Constellation-class frigates), and sonobuoy technology. Revenue comes from hardware manufacturing, software development, and engineering services.
2. Foreign Military Sales (FMS): AAC supports Foreign Military Sales partners through the MK48 torpedo program, providing critical components for international defense customers under U.S. government oversight.
3. Training and Support Services: AAC designs and delivers highly interactive training systems based on high-fidelity models, simulation, and stimulation for ASW platforms including P-3, P-8, and H-60 aircraft trainers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

AAC designs, manufactures, and integrates undersea warfare hardware and software for the U.S. Navy and allied defense customers, including variable-depth sonar systems (CAPTAS-4), synthetic aperture mine detection sonar (SAMDIS), sonobuoys (MCAPS, SonoFlash), MK48 heavyweight torpedo components, mine neutralization ROVs (ANGLER), open-architecture surface ship combat systems (AN/SQQ-89(V)15), and acoustic simulation/training software (CASE). The company is the sole qualified manufacturer for critical MK48 torpedo subsystems and the U.S. production lead for CAPTAS variable-depth sonar systems.

Product overview

AAC delivers a comprehensive portfolio of undersea warfare systems organized around three core product lines: Sensors & Weapon Platforms (sonar systems, torpedo components, sonobuoys, and mine countermeasures), Integrated Systems (surface ship combat systems, mission computing environments, and mobile command/control solutions), and Training, Support & Software (acoustic simulation environments and watchstation trainers). The product architecture emphasizes open, modular COTS-based designs enabling rapid capability insertion. Key products include SAMDIS synthetic aperture sonar, CAPTAS-4 variable depth sonar, MCAPS and SonoFlash sonobuoys, MK48 torpedo subsystems, ANGLER mine neutralization ROV, AN/SQQ-89(V) combat systems, CASE acoustic simulation software, and LCS mission package solutions including MPCE, MPPCS, and trainers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CAPTAS: Combined Active and Passive Towed Array Sonar systems including CAPTAS-4 variable depth sonar for anti-submarine warfare operations
• MCAPS
• SAMDIS
• ANGLER
• CASE
• MK48

Products and services

• SAMDIS (Synthetic Aperture Mine Detection Imaging Sonar) AAC's 4th generation Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) providing multi-aspect processing of ultra-high resolution SAS imagery for single-track detection, classification, and identification of bottom objects, with Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) that eliminates Post Mission Analysis. Designed for naval mine countermeasures missions.
• CAPTAS-4 (Combined Active and Passive Towed Array Sonar) Long-range mobile deep-sea variable-depth sonar (VDS) providing anti-submarine warfare capability. Assembled, integrated, and tested at AAC's Lemont Furnace, PA facility. Ready for integration on Freedom Class LCS, FFG, and select USVs. Installed on 50+ NATO ships.
• MCAPS (Medium-Frequency Combination Active Passive Sonobuoy) Next-generation sonobuoy delivering 3x detection range compared to legacy SSQ-62 buoys through modern transducer, enhanced receive array, and next-generation battery. Combines active (Continuous Active Sonar and single-pulse) and passive acoustic capabilities. Built to NATO standards for coalition interchangeability.
• MK48 Torpedo Components MK48 Warhead Electronic System (WES) assemblies, sonar signal transmitters, and test sets for the MK48 heavyweight torpedo. AAC is the only qualified manufacturer for these systems, providing digital fusing, firing functions, and broadband acoustic homing for both deep and shallow water operation.
• ANGLER (Mine Warfare Neutralization System) Modular, submersible, reusable micro-sized ROV/UUV weapon platform integrating 66mm shaped charge or high-velocity 20mm underwater cargo projectiles for skin-to-skin or up to 10m stand-off mine neutralization from shallow to deep water with scalable lethality.
• AN/SQQ-89(V)15 Surface Ship ASW Combat System Open-architecture surface ship anti-submarine warfare combat system using COTS computing technology, cloud computing advancements, and hypervisor configuration to reduce life cycle costs while enabling rapid warfighting capability insertion. Integrated with DDG 51 destroyers, LCS, and FFG platforms.
• CASE (Common Acoustic Simulation Environment) Fleet physics-based acoustic simulation software for NAVAIR anti-submarine warfare platforms. Uses the WaveMap3D ocean model to provide dynamic high-fidelity simulation of the ocean environment for training P-3, P-8, and H-60 air ASW crews.
• SonoFlash Sonobuoy Mid-frequency combination active/passive sonobuoy at TRL 7 providing 3x active detection improvement over current U.S. Navy sonobuoy sensors. Offers interoperability with ALFS dipping sonar and CAPTAS sonar systems in multi-static operations.
• Mission in a Box (MiB) - Mobile Command, Control, and Communications Deployable node using the latest COTS technology in a seamlessly integrated, flexible, extensible open architecture for deploying military combat missions. Available for vessel of opportunity and shore-based applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3x detection range improvement with MCAPS sonobuoy compared to legacy SSQ-62 systems
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022Prime contractor for Constellation-class frigate program awarded AAC the CAPTAS-4 sonar contract in May 2022. AAC delivered first CAPTAS-4 for FFG-62 in October 2023 ahead of schedule. Contract allows for up to 10 transmitter assembly systems total. Program was cancelled in late 2025.
• Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011AAC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thales Defense & Security, Inc., operating under a DoD-approved Proxy Agreement for FOCI mitigation. Thales brings over 50 years of sonar expertise. In 2022, AAC became fully owned FOCI-mitigated subsidiary, strengthening U.S. engineering and industrial footprint. Thales' Proxy Agreement has been active since 1986.
• Leonardo DRSminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011AAC was a joint venture between Leonardo DRS (formerly DRS) and Thales Underwater Systems starting in 2011. In 2022, AAC became a fully owned subsidiary of Thales, with Leonardo DRS no longer having an ownership stake.
• Lockheed MartincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007AAC formed partnership in 2007 to execute the AN/SQQ-89(V) Surface Ship ASW Combat System Program as a key player. AAC earned Lockheed Martin Supplier of the Year Award in 2015. Continues collaboration on rapid capability insertion programs for LCS mission packages.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Kongsberg Maritime: Kongsberg delivers naval sonar systems (e.g., SS2030 sonar for submarines) and integrated combat systems for surface ships and submarines, making it a direct comparable to AAC's sonar/sensor portfolio.
• SAAB Kockums: SAAB's Kockums unit supplies submarine and surface-ship sonar/ASW systems and is one of the few Western primes fielded alongside CAPTAS on frigates, providing a direct product overlap with AAC's CAPTAS-4 variable depth sonar.
• L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris produces undersea sensors, dipping sonars, and acoustic processing systems used by U.S. Navy ASW platforms — overlapping directly with AAC's sonar, sonobuoy, and acoustic simulation offerings.
• Ultra Maritime (Ultra Electronics): Ultra Maritime is a specialist in undersea warfare sensors, sonobuoys (via ERAPSCO JV), and ASW systems for the U.S. Navy and allied navies — directly comparable to AAC's CAPTAS-4 and sonobuoy product lines.

Broad incumbents

• Raytheon (RTX): RTX's Raytheon Missiles & Defense supplies anti-submarine warfare and undersea sensors including sonobuoys and torpedo components — broad portfolio with overlapping sonar/weapon content.
• Lockheed Martin: Lockheed Martin is the lead integrator on AN/SQQ-89(V) — AAC's combat system partner — and supplies broader naval combat and undersea systems, making it both a collaborator and a competitive broader incumbent.
• Leonardo DRS: Former joint venture partner in AAC (2011–2022), Leonardo DRS supplies naval electronics, sonar, and undersea systems across U.S. Navy platforms, with overlapping product portfolios in submarine and surface ASW electronics.
• Northrop Grumman Mission Systems: Northrop Grumman supplies undersea warfare electronics, acoustic sensors, and surface/submarine combat systems, overlapping with AAC across combat system integration and undersea sensors.
• General Dynamics Mission Systems: General Dynamics Mission Systems supplies submarine combat systems, sonar processing, and undersea warfare products, overlapping with AAC's combat system integration and undersea sensor capabilities.

Emerging players

• DSIT Solutions: DSIT provides underwater acoustic detection, Diver Detection Sonars, and ASW systems — a focused player with overlap in undersea acoustic sensing and similar end-customers in naval/defence markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AAC