9th Jan 2006 07:00
Ultra Electronics Holdings PLC09 January 2006 Embargoed until 0700 9 January 2006 Ultra Electronics Holdings plc ("Ultra" or "the Group") Ultra Wins £10m Contract to Supply Data Links for Watchkeeper UAV Ultra announces that its Sonar & Communication Systems business, based inGreenford, Middlesex, has been awarded a contract worth over £10m to develop andsupply secure data links for the UK's Watchkeeper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)programme. The Watchkeeper tactical UAV system will provide the British armedforces with an Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance(ISTAR) capability. It is due to enter service with the British Army in 2010. Ultra has been awarded the order by Cubic Defense Applications, San Diego, CA,USA. Under the contract, Ultra will work with Cubic to develop two separate datalinks: the Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL) and the High Integrity Data Link(HIDL). The TCDL will enable Watchkeeper to transfer time-critical informationto ground control stations from multiple UAVs operating in the same geographicalarea without mutual interference. The HIDL is used for the secure and covertcommand and control of multiple UAVs in flight and will also provide Watchkeeperwith a versatile, programmable back-up air-to-ground link for tacticalbattlespace information. The data links are a vital element in the UK'snetwork-enabled capability and in ensuring interoperability with other NATOforces. Ultra will also be responsible for the development of high gradeencryption modules for the two links. Ultra will manufacture hardware for bothdata links, with deliveries commencing in 2007. It is intended that the futuresupport for the Watchkeeper data links will be supplied by Ultra to the BritishArmy over the life of the programme. Douglas Caster, Chief Executive of Ultra commented: "Ultra has positioned itselfover the last six years to win this Watchkeeper contract by supporting data linkstudies and by undertaking various risk reduction activities. These have givenUltra detailed knowledge of the programme requirements and allowed us to developan innovative solution with our teaming partner, Cubic. "The programme is important as it puts Ultra at the forefront of developing datalinks for UAV and ISTAR applications. It is the continuation of a strategicpartnership with Cubic which, it is anticipated, will lead to additionalbusiness for both companies." - Ends - Enquiries:Ultra Electronics Holdings plc 020 8813 4321Douglas Caster, Chief Executive www.ultra-electronics.comDavid Jeffcoat, Group Finance Director [email protected] Weber Shandwick Square Mile 020 7067 0700Susan Ellis Notes to editors: Ultra Electronics is a group of specialist businesses designing, manufacturingand supporting electronic and electromechanical systems, sub-systems andproducts for defence, security and aerospace applications worldwide. Ultra, which employs 3,000 people in the UK and North America, focuses on highintegrity sensing, control, communication and display systems with an emphasison integrated information technology solutions. The Group concentrates onobtaining a technological edge in niche markets, with many of its products andtechnologies being market leaders in their field. Ultra's products and services are used on aircraft, ships, submarines, armouredvehicles, surveillance systems, airports and transport systems around the world.Ultra also plays an important role in supporting prime contractors byundertaking specialist system and sub-system integration using the combinedexpertise of the Group businesses. Ultra is organised into three divisions as follows: Aircraft & Vehicle Systems including miniature airborne compressors; highintegrity software and systems; aircraft system electronics; aircraft cockpitindicators; aircraft noise and vibration control systems; airframe protectionsystems, armoured vehicle electronic information and control systems; human/computer interface equipment and shared working environment solutions. Information & Power Systems including command and control systems equipment;weapons interfacing electronics; radar tracking; electro optical tracking;surveillance systems; naval data processing and distribution; airport andairline information management systems; ID card systems; naval power conversion;signature management of naval vessels; transit system power conversion andcontrol. Tactical & Sonar Systems including secure tactical line-of-sight radio systems,multiplexers and switches; voice communication systems; tactical data links;cryptographic equipment; active, passive and multi-static sonobuoys; sonobuoyreceivers and processors; distributed surveillance sensor arrays; ship's sonarsystems; acoustic countermeasure systems and ship's torpedo defence systems. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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