Ultra Electronics

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Ultra Electronics Holdings plc
Type	Public (LSE: ULE)
Founded	25 June 1993
Headquarters	Middlesex, United Kingdom
Industry	Aerospace and defence
Subsidiaries	Ultra Electronics Limited
Website	www.ultra-electronics.com Airport Systems Division

Ultra Electronics is a British aerospace and defence company. Ultra was formed in 1993 by a management buy-out of seven Dowty Group plc companies from TI Group plc.^[1]

Dowty had been acquired by TI Group in 1992 for £500 million.^[2] TI Group had then begun disposing of "non-core" businesses. Julian Blogh, a manager at Dowty, resigned and secured financial backing for the £39 million buy-out.^[3]

The company is floated on the UK Stock Exchange, and operates its portfolio as an umbrealla of specialist businesses designing, manufacturing and supporting electronic and electromechanical systems, sub-systems and products for defence, security and aerospace applications worldwide. It employs over 3000 people, as has a market capitalisation approaching of GBP£850m (2007).

Ultra's status is demonstrated by the group's involvement in many of the major defence programmes both in the UK, the US and around the world. Contracts are won for integrated systems of ever-increasing size, often involving a number of different group businesses. The ability to expand its order books coupled with successful programme execution culminating in the delivery to customers of niche products and solutions using Ultra's differentiated technologies has been key to the group's growth. Research and development (R&D) has played a key role too. The equivalent of 20 per cent of group turnover is expended in R&D activities to develop advanced technology solutions to customers' problems and Ultra strives to maintain strategic supplier status with customers by focusing on best value for money solutions.

Ultra Electronics is organised into three divisions: Tactical & Sonar Systems; Aircraft & Vehicle Systems and Information & Power Systems

Tactical & Sonar Systems' capabilities include secure tactical line-of-sight radio systems multiplexers and switches; tactical datalinks; cryptographic equipment; active passive and multi-static sonobuoys; sonobuoy receivers and processors; distributed surveillance sensor arrays; ship's sonar systems and ship's torpedo defence systems make up the first.

Aircraft & Vehicle Systems is focussed on miniature airborne compressors; high integrity software and systems, aircraft system electronics, aircraft noise and vibration control; propeller de-icing, balancing and control systems; armoured vehicle electronic information and control systems and human/computer interfacing equipment. With over 45 years' experience as a specialist equipment supplier, Ultra's products are specified on platforms such as airbus A318, A319, A320, A321, A330 and A340, Bombadier Q-100, 200, 300 and 400, Bombadier Challenger, SAAB 340 and 2000, Eurofighter, Hawk, Tornado, Jaguar, Gripen, harrier/AV-8B, F-15E, F/A-18 super Hornet, Nimrod MRA4, CP 140 Aurora, and the Merlin, SH-60B, SH60F, SH-60R and SH 70 helicopters.

Information & Power Systems operates in the following domains: command and control systems equipment, weapons interfacing electronics; naval data processing and distribution, airport and airline information management systems; passenger baggage reconciliation systems; ID card systems; shared working environment solutions; naval power conversion; signature management of naval vessels and transit system power conversion and control.

Ultra Electronics is based over 21 sites, with approximately half in the UK and half in the USA. It also has offices in China, Singapore and New Zealand and the recently established (2007) Ultra Electronics Pty Ltd subsidiary based in Adelaide Australia.

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