Mini UAC series

Mini Underwater Acoustic Cameras


The MiniUAC series offers a complete range of compact, high-performance sonar solutions, including forward-looking, panoramic, omnidirectional, and 3D imaging systems. Covering 200kHz–3MHz, these versatile sonars enable near-field target detection, obstacle avoidance, dynamic imaging, full 360° coverage, SLAM-capable mapping, and detailed 3D underwater terrain and infrastructure surveys.

MiniUAC Advantages

  • Compact, lightweight, and low-power, perfect for unmanned underwater vehicles.
  • Wide frequency coverage with excellent cost-performance ratio.
  • Maintenance-free, durable, and corrosion-resistant for long-term seawater operation.
  • Multi-frequency and dynamic imaging support diverse underwater applications.

The MiniUAC series delivers reliable, versatile, and cost-effective sonar solutions for research, engineering, underwater security, and unmanned underwater operations.

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General Forward-Looking Sonars


Forward-looking sonars are typically mounted at the front of underwater vehicles to provide a clear view of the surrounding environment and enable target detection. They operate similarly to optical cameras, capturing comprehensive scene information in a single scan. Their advantages include compact size, real-time performance, and minimal requirements for the host vehicle.

This series of sonars is ideal for various small unmanned vehicles, including UUVs, ROVs, USVs, as well as small surface vessels, providing users with clear acoustic vision in both clear and turbid waters. The products are characterized by compact size, lightweight design, and often ready availability. Compared to similar domestic and international devices, this series offers significant advantages in terms of performance and cost-efficiency.

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MiniUAC-1203 Miniature Active & P​assive Forward-Looking Sonar

MiniUAC-1203 

Most Balanced Performance

Single & Dual-Frequency

Frequency: 375 kHz to 2.1 MHz

Max Detection Range: 200 m

CHINA-SONAR MiniUAC-1213  Dual-Frequency Forward-looking Sonar-china-sonar-2D forward-looking multibeam imaging sonar

MiniUAC-1213 

2D forward-looking multibeam
Miniature & Dual-Frequency
Low-cost, high-resolution

Up to 140° horizontal FOV

MiniUAC-1203   Small Forward-Looking Sonar Most Balanced Performance Multibeam Forward-Looking Sonar (FLS)

MiniUAC-1216 

Ultra-Low Price

2D Multibeam Sonar

Frequencies: 700 / 900 / 1200 kHz

Max Detection Range: 50 m

MiniUAC-1206 Miniature Forward-Looking Sonar

MiniUAC-1206 

2D forward-looking multibeam 
Compact size,  Low Power  
Max detection range: 100 m  

Frequency: 700 kHz ~ 1.8 MHz

MiniUAC-1210-Forward-looking Sonar-china-sonar

MiniUAC-1210

Ultra-High Frequency 1.8 / 3 MHz​

Near-Optical Resolution

Short-Range High-Precision 

Compact, Low-Power

High-performance Forward-looking Sonar 

Zhanghe Reservoir (400 kHz, 250 m Detection Range)-High-performance Forward-looking Sonar

If the performance of general-purpose forward-looking sonar fails to meet your requirements, our product series offers models with superior capabilities:

  • Higher resolution (up to 0.15°)
  • Longer detection range (up to 1,500 m max)
  • Full-ocean-depth operation (11,000 m rated depth)

Our product range also includes innovative offerings, such as 2.5D forward-looking sonar. Please note that products in this series are generally not available from stock. The lead time for orders is approximately 4–6 weeks. For inquiries, please contact our pre-sales technical support team or sales representatives.

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MiniUAC-1310/1311  Deep-Sea Forward-looking  600m / 11000m Extreme Depths  2D multi-beam imaging sonar  Lightweight (~3 kg)  power ~16 W  View more

MiniUAC-1303 

High-Resolution Active-Passive

Beam enhancement technology

Long-Range Performance

Small-target detection

MiniUAC-1310/1311    Deep-Sea Forward-looking Sonar 600m / 11000m Extreme Working Depths

MiniUAC-1310/1311 

Deep-Sea Forward-looking

600m / 11000m Extreme Depths

2D multi-beam imaging sonar

Lightweight (~3 kg)  power ~16 W

MiniUAC-1402 2.5D Forward-Looking Sonar

MiniUAC-1402 

2.5D Forward-looking Sonar

Adjustable Vertical FOV

Multibeam imaging

Compact, Low-Power 9W

Compact Forward-looking Sonar 


This series includes products such as multibeam forward-looking sonars and mechanically scanned sonars, characterized by high cost-effectiveness, compact size, light weight, and low power consumption.

Through optimized design and cost-efficient manufacturing, this series significantly reduces both production cost and market price. Compared with similar foreign products, the price is typically only half or even lower, making it especially suitable for cost-sensitive applications.

Typical use cases include industrial-grade and consumer-grade unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), salvage and rescue operations, fishing, and water sports.

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MiniUAC-1006/1007 Omnidirectional Sonar

MiniUAC-1006/1007 

Omnidirectional Sonar

2D Mechanical Scanning

Standard / Pipeline Models

Max Detection Range: 5–70 m

CHINA-SONAR MiniUAC-1213  Dual-Frequency Forward-looking Sonar-china-sonar-2D forward-looking multibeam imaging sonar

MiniUAC-1213 

2D forward-looking multibeam
Miniature & Dual-Frequency
Low-cost, high-resolution

Up to 140° horizontal FOV

MiniUAC-1216 

Ultra-Low Price

2D Multibeam Sonar

Frequencies: 700/ 900/ 1200 kHz

Max Detection Range: 50 m

Omni-directional  Sonar 


This sonar series features a 360-degree horizontal field of view, enabling the entire surrounding environment to be captured in a single acoustic image. Moreover, panoramic sonars provide uniform image clarity in all directions. Panoramic sonar systems can cover nearly all application scenarios of forward-looking sonars, and are particularly well suited for real-time underwater target search and tracking.

While the vehicle operates normally, the sonar can continuously monitor the entire water volume in real time, enabling detection and tracking of underwater targets such as submerged objects, divers, and underwater robots. It can also provide positional information for other underwater vehicles, effectively serving as an underwater early-warning system.

Another key capability of panoramic sonar is underwater Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). For underwater robots operating in unknown environments, knowledge of both self-position and surrounding structure is essential. While absolute positioning can be achieved through inertial navigation or acoustic positioning systems, relative localization and environmental perception rely on acoustic imaging sensors. Panoramic sonar is one of the most effective tools for underwater SLAM, offering LiDAR-like functionality underwater by providing real-time scene imagery and range information to support autonomous navigation, path planning, and mission execution.

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MiniUAC-1006/1007 Omnidirectional Sonar

MiniUAC-1006/1007 

Omnidirectional Sonar

2D Mechanical Scanning

Standard / Pipeline Models

Max Detection Range: 5–70 m

MiniUAC-1503 

360° Omnidirectional Multibeam

Dual Frequency: 1.2 MHz / 1.8 MHz

30–50 fps Real-Time Imaging

0.02s SLAM Perception

Compact Side-Scan Sonar 


Side-scan sonar (also known as Side Scan Sonar) is typically mounted on the side of a vehicle. Its operating principle is similar to that of a scanner, acquiring one or several lateral survey lines at a time. As the underwater platform moves forward, the sonar builds up a complete image of the surveyed area line by line.

The main advantages of side-scan sonar are its high resolution and exceptional image clarity, while maintaining a relatively low cost. However, a key limitation is that it must be deployed on a platform capable of linear motion—such as a vessel-mounted system, towed body, or underwater robot—and cannot operate independently.

Compared with similar products available domestically and internationally, our side-scan sonar systems feature a high level of integration and strong price competitiveness.

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MiniUAC-2003 

High Integration

Low Cost

Frequencies: 450 / 900 kHz

Max Depth:  300 / 1,500 / 3,000 m

Panoramic 3D Sonar


For applications such as marine engineering, underwater construction, and underwater archaeology, traditional two-dimensional sonar is unable to obtain object height information, which limits its applicability. In contrast, 3D sonar is capable of capturing full three-dimensional information of the scene.

Based on the acoustic reflection intensity of underwater targets, 3D sonar can generate high-quality 3D point cloud data, enabling surface modeling of underwater environments and accurate reconstruction of underwater objects—functioning in a manner similar to LiDAR systems used in air.

In scenarios such as bridge pier and offshore wind turbine foundation inspection, sediment deposition measurement, underwater caisson inspection, and component measurement during underwater construction, 3D sonar plays an irreplaceable role.

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MiniUAC-4001 

Panoramic 3D Sonar

Mechanical Scanning Sonar

Full-scene 3D scanning

2D and 2.5D display modes

Selection Guide

Specification Cost-Effective Standard High-Performance
Forward-Looking Sonar MiniUAC-1206, MiniUAC-1213, MiniUAC-1216 MiniUAC-1203, MiniUAC-1210 MiniUAC-1303, MiniUAC-1310, MiniUAC-1311, MiniUAC-1402
Side-Scan Sonar MiniUAC-2003 - -
Omnidirectional Sonar MiniUAC-1006, MiniUAC-1007 MiniUAC-1503 -
Mechanical Scanning MiniUAC-1006 (2D), MiniUAC-1007 (2D) MiniUAC-4001 (3D) -

Comprehensive Product Portfolio


We offer a full range of imaging sonars covering frequencies from 100 kHz to 3 MHz, including forward-looking sonars, side-scan sonars, panoramic/omnidirectional sonars, and more.

In addition, our portfolio includes positioning sonars, scanning sonars, motion sonars, and 3D imaging sonars, providing complete acoustic solutions for diverse underwater applications.

Need a frequency option not listed in the manual? No problem. All of our products support frequency customization, typically without additional cost.

We provide sonar systems for water depths ranging from shallow waters to full-ocean-depth operations up to 11,000 meters. Our products have been integrated into multiple well-known deep-sea submersibles and have successfully completed operations in the Mariana Trench on numerous occasions.

Independent Development & Core Technology Mastery


We possess in-house R&D and manufacturing capabilities for nearly all key components of imaging sonar systems, including transducers, hardware, software, core algorithms, pressure housings, dynamic and static sealing, and anti-corrosion technologies.

We have developed sonar-dedicated integrated circuits independently, ensuring optimized performance and long-term supply security.

For all high-performance sonar systems, we offer fully domestically developed and independently controllable solutions, meeting stringent requirements for reliability, security, and long-term deployment.

AUV Communication & Navigation Kit Compact Navigator & Underwater Acoustic Modem

AUV Communication & Navigation Kit

Compact Navigator & Underwater Acoustic Modem

Designed for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), the AUV Communication & Navigation Kit delivers high-precision navigation and reliable underwater communication in a unified solution.

  • NAVS-3000 Compact Navigator — Provides INS-based positioning, DVL velocity measurements, and depth data for precise real-time navigation.
  • UAC-08160X-OEM Underwater Acoustic Modem — Ensures stable, long-range underwater communication across multiple frequency bands.

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