27th Feb 2006 07:01
Ultra Electronics Holdings PLC27 February 2006 Embargoed until 0700 27 February 2006 Ultra Electronics Holdings plc ("Ultra" or "the Group") Ultra wins engine ice protection equipment contract for Joint Strike Fighter Ultra announces that its Controls business, based in Greenford, Middlesex and inCambridge, has been awarded a contract by Pratt & Whitney to develop keyelements of the Engine Ice Protection System ("EIPS") for the company's F135engine. The initial contract is valued at up to $12 million. The F135 enginewill power the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. Ultra will undertake the complete development of the EIPS electronic controllertogether with the interconnecting harnesses and connectors that run between thecontroller and the engine inlet heater mats. It is anticipated that this initialdevelopment contract will lead to further contracts that will cover the flighttest phase and then the production phase of the programme. The F-35 Joint StrikeFighter is currently scheduled to enter service in 2012. The EIPS will provide electro-thermal ice protection to the F135 engine inlet.Ultra's partner, GKN Aerospace, will provide the electro-thermal heater matassemblies for the engine inlet under a separate contract. GKN Aerospace alreadyprovides the composite engine inlet casing onto which the electro-thermal heatermats will be integrated. The electro-thermal EIPS is a new, high-efficiency approach to engine inlet iceprotection that avoids the use of bleed air from the engines. The completesystem comprises a controller including power electronics and embedded software,connectors, electrical harnesses and heater mats. Ultra and GKN have beenworking together on ice protection systems for over three years and have alreadydemonstrated the capability of the EIPS to meet the requirements of the F135. Douglas Caster, Chief Executive, commented:"Ultra has been able to secure this position on the JSF programme, incollaboration with GKN, through our innovation and responsiveness. We are verypleased with this win as the planned number of JSF aircraft makes this asubstantial opportunity for Ultra. This success uses the technology that we aredeveloping for the advanced ice protection system for the Boeing 787 aircraftwhich is due to enter service in 2008." - Ends - Enquiries:Ultra Electronics Holdings plc (27.02.06) 020 7067 0700Douglas Caster, Chief Executive Thereafter 020 8813 4321David Jeffcoat, Finance Director www.ultra-electronics.com Weber Shandwick Square Mile 020 7067 0700Susan Ellis / Louise Robson 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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