Ultra Electronics

The company and its divisions

Ultra is an internationally successful defence, security, transport and energy company with a long, consistent track record of development and growth. The Group specialises in electronic, electro-mechanical and software solutions and has world-leading positions in many of its more than 160 specialist capability areas within its 25 businesses.

Ultra offers its people a fascinating environment in which they can thrive, valuing innovation, entrepreneurship and agility to drive the business forward.

Major market sectors

Ultra’s businesses have a high degree of operational autonomy where local management teams are responsible for making the most of their expertise in their own specific niches. It is a strategy that enables the individual businesses to provide exceptionally agile and responsive support to customers and partners.

Battlespace IT

Dedicated systems and equipment that provide coalition commanders to view an integrated, real-time picture of the disposition of friendly and enemy forces that is superior to the one available to the enemy.

This information allows for rapid decision-making and, when coupled with effective command, control and communications, translates into military superiority. The use of battlespace IT is fundamental to the implementation of the military doctrines of 'network-centric warfare' or 'network-enabled capability' that are seen as transformational in the capability to win future battles.

Expenditure on battlespace IT equipment therefore continues to represent an increasing share of the total defence budget in the main markets in which Ultra operates.

Sonar systems

Expanding Ultra's traditional world-leading airborne anti-submarine warfare capability into broader activities in the underwater battlespace. These include integrated ship and submarine sonar systems, long life sensor arrays deployed on the sea-bed, torpedo defence and sea mine disposal systems. The fact that over forty countries have, between them, more than four hundred highly capable, stealthy submarines is continuing to focus expenditure in this sector.

Civil and military aircraft equipment

Ultra provides specialist sub-systems and equipment for military and civil aircraft. The main military aircraft programmes on which Ultra equipment is fitted continue to have political support, accompanied by consistent financial commitment. For civil aircraft, high order books at all major aircraft manufacturers underpin build rates for the medium term.

Specialist defence and security equipment

Including power conversion and signature systems for naval ships and submarines. Ultra also supplies advanced sub-systems for modern armoured vehicles including those for electrical power management, indirect vision and weapon control.

The need for increased mobility and force protection is driving a number of large military vehicle procurements in Ultra's main markets. Ultra supplies acoustic hailing and mass notification equipment for ships, armoured vehicles and ground-based operations. Ultra is also a provider of specialist training services and performance consultancy.

Specialist civil transport and energy systems and equipment

Including Ultra's advanced airport IT solutions. Airline passenger growth around the world is driving continuing expansion and upgrade of airport infrastructure. Ultra supplies trackside power equipment for rail transit systems, for which demand continues driven by the need to expand and upgrade rail networks. The UK market for nuclear power generation is expanding and Ultra's offering, derived from its equivalent military capability, is well positioned to benefit.