Ultra signs for MoD sonobuoys

TTems has been awarded a prestigious contract from Ultra Electronics' Sonar and Communication Systems business worth GBP 6 million over the next ten years.

Electronics manufacturing services provider TTems has been awarded a prestigious contract from Ultra Electronics' Sonar and Communication Systems business (Ultra Electronics), worth GBP 6 million over the next ten years.

The contract is to share manufacturing of all sonobuoys in support of Ultra Electronics' recently announced, long-term partnership with the Ministry of Defence.

Ultra Electronics announced details of its ten year, sole-source contract with the MoD, to satisfy the MoD's sonobuoy requirements, on 3rd August 2004.

TTems, a subsidiary of global electronics manufacturing company TT Electronics, with sites in Rogerstone (Wales) and Blyth (Northumberland), will be manufacturing the following Ultra Electronics sonobuoys: Hidar, Barra and Cambs VI, at its Rogerstone facility.

Sonobuoys are devices that can be dropped from helicopters to detect and locate underwater objects by reflecting/intercepting acoustic waves from an underwater, surface, or above surface acoustic source.

The sonobuoys operate in the same way that radar and radio direction finding equipment operate with electromagnetic waves.

TTems is involved in the DFM of the sonobuoys, development of the boards, preproduction and full material procurement.

The company is also providing assembly manufacture with in-circuit and functional testing, assistance with obsolete components and rapid introduction of design changes.

Andrew Cox, General Manager and Director, TTems Rogerstone says: "TTems is rapidly growing its portfolio of dynamic products in the defence arena, and establishing excellent working relationships with prestigious industry names like Ultra Electronics".

"We will continue to seek partnerships in the defence arena, providing clients with cost effective, high quality and reliable solutions".

Phil Evans, Director - Surveillance Systems, Ultra Electronics - Sonar and Communication Systems comments: "We have worked with TTems Rogerstone on several projects over the past six years".

"Originally, we approached TTems to fulfil our volume manufacturing requirements, however this has developed to the stage where we now involve them in most processes - including prototype and DFM".

"TTems has consistently supplied Ultra Electronics with reliable, quality products and we look forward to continuing this relationship with future projects".

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