Custom hydrophone systems built to your specification
When off-the-shelf isn't enough, we design and build. Burns has been engineering custom underwater acoustic systems since 1998 — for survey operators, research institutions, port authorities, and defence contractors across Australia and internationally.
What we build
Every commercial project starts with a conversation. We scope the simplest configuration that meets your goals — then build it here in Australia.
Towed arrays
Multi-element hydrophone arrays for vessel-towed passive acoustic monitoring, survey work, and marine mammal detection.
Custom cabling
Any length, any jacketing. Armoured, neutrally buoyant, or low-noise coaxial — matched to your deployment method and depth.
Connector integration
Configured to interface directly with your recorder or DAQ — XLR, BNC, MCIL, SubConn, or custom pin-outs on request.
Multi-channel systems
Array-ready front ends for simultaneous multi-channel recording. We match gain, noise floor, and phase response across channels.
Noise mitigation
Filtering and conditioning to reduce flow noise, cable rumble, and vessel interference — critical for towed deployments at speed.
Turnkey field kits
Self-contained deployable systems with power, mounting hardware, and monitoring — ready to go out of the case.
Typical projects
- Passive acoustic monitoring rigs for marine mammal management and environmental impact assessment
- Vessel-deployed systems for commercial survey operations where engine and tow noise must be minimised
- Port and harbour underwater surveillance and intrusion detection systems
- Pipeline and infrastructure monitoring for leak detection and structural acoustic sensing
- Portable rapid-deploy setups for small-boat research and environmental consultancies
- Defence and government acoustic sensing systems — quotes available under NDA
Get a quote
To give you an accurate quote quickly, include these details in your message:
What are you listening for? Species, machinery, frequency range of interest.
Towed, drifting, moored, hand-lowered, or fixed installation.
Operating depth and required cable run from hydrophone to recorder.
Single element or multi-channel array? If array — spacing requirements.
Your DAQ system, recorder model, or maximum sampling rate.
Preferred connector on the hydrophone end, or we can recommend one.
Reach us directly — we respond to commercial enquiries within one business day.