Cobham Enables Airbus A330 Air-to-Air Refuelling Flight Demonstrations — Press Release

Cobham Enables Airbus A330 Air-to-Air Refuelling Flight Demonstrations

WIMBORNE, United Kingdom – Cobham air-to-air refuelling pods have successfully demonstrated the ability to transfer fuel from the Airbus Military A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) to Spanish Air Force F-18s with a series of “probe-to-drogue” contacts during recent flight trials.

The 905E refuelling pods, built by Cobham Mission Equipment at Wimborne, UK, represent the Company’s latest generation Aerial Refuelling System, which is the first and only hose & drogue system in the world to employ a dual redundant hose response system — a major contributor to world leading mission availability. During a series of contacts conducted during November 2009, the refuelling system transferred fuel to receiver aircraft and demonstrated effective hose response throughout the trials.

“These ‘wet contact’ flight trials are a major milestone in the development of the A330 MRTT’s tanker capability,” said Iain Gibson, vice president of Cobham Mission Equipment. “This achievement reinforces Cobham’s expertise and position as the world leader in delivering air refuelling solutions to meet the strategic and tactical tanker requirements of air forces around the globe.”

The Royal Australian Air Force A330MRTT platform used for these flight tests is similar in configuration to the solution that Northrop Grumman intends to propose to the US Air Force in response to the KC-X Tanker requirement. The A330 MRTT with 905E pods has also been selected for the UK MoD FSTA programme, the Saudi Arabia Air Force and the United Arab Emirates Air Force.

About Cobham:

Cobham’s products and services have been at the heart of sophisticated military and civil systems for 75 years, keeping people safe, improving communications, and enhancing the capability of land, sea, air and space platforms. The Company has four divisions employing more than 12,000 people on five continents, with customers and partners in over 100 countries and annual revenue of more than £1.4bn / $2.1 billion.

Cobham Mission Equipment is the world market leader for air-to-air Refuelling, providing fourth generation ‘nose to tail’ solutions from the cockpit of the donor aircraft to the tail of the receiver platform. To date, more than 1,000 systems have been delivered for buddy-buddy refuelling and for tactical and strategic tanking for fixed and rotary wing aircraft, with expertise now extended into the development of autonomous UAV to UAV refuelling.

Contacts:

Greg Caires
Julian Wais
Media Relations
Investor Relations

+1 703 414 5319
+44 (0) 1202 857998

greg.caires@cobham.com
julian.wais@cobham.com

Cobham Opens New Aerospace/Defense Cable Systems Plant in New Hampshire — Press Release

Cobham Opens New Aerospace/Defense Cable Systems Plant in New Hampshire

EXETER, New Hampshire – Cobham has opened a new facility in Exeter, NH that will immediately accommodate 80 new jobs related to the manufacture of cable systems sold to the US Government and major aerospace and defense companies.

“This is the second 80,000 square foot Cobham facility at Exeter,” said Steve Schaefer, president of Cobham Sensor Systems. “These 80 new jobs will expand Cobham’s Sensor Systems employment base in New Hampshire to 350 staff members.”

Cobham Sensor Systems products manufactured at this facility support electronics warfare and command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) applications, as well as a wide variety of major airborne, shipboard, ground-based, space-based and homeland security-related radar platforms.

About Cobham:

Cobham’s products and services have been at the heart of sophisticated military and civil systems for 75 years, keeping people safe, improving communications, and enhancing the capability of land, sea, air and space platforms. The Company has four divisions employing more than 12,000 people on five continents, with customers and partners in over 100 countries and annual revenue of more than £1.4bn / $2.1 billion.

Cobham Sensor Systems – a strategic business unit with Cobham’s Defense Systems Division – designs and manufactures all classes of active and passive microwave components, composites, radomes and integrated assemblies and subsystems for the aerospace and defense industries, and is the leading supplier of microwave products.

Contacts:

Greg Caires
Media Relations

Julian Wais
Investor Relations

+1 703 414 5319
+44 (0) 1202 857998

greg.caires@cobham.com
julian.wais@cobham.com

Cobham to Open New Composite Parts Production Facility in Suffolk, Virginia — Press Release

Cobham to Open New Composite Parts Production Facility in Suffolk, Virginia

HERNDON, Virginia – Cobham will open a new composite parts manufacturing facility in Suffolk, Virginia, during early 2010. The facility will manufacture advanced composite products for the aerospace and defense industry. Cobham anticipates that nearly 200 new jobs will be created during the first five years of the new facility’s operation.

The Suffolk facility will operate as part of Cobham’s Defense Systems division and will complement existing similar facilities in San Diego, California. Similar products will be produced at both the San Diego and Suffolk facilities, with a strong emphasis on high-volume production programs in the Suffolk facility. The focus will be on advanced aircraft engine components, aircraft and rotorcraft structural products, unmanned aerial vehicle components, as well as missile and munitions products for the US defense industry.

Jeremy Wensinger, President Cobham Defense Systems division said: “The most significant factors that sold us on Suffolk included its outstanding quality of living, close proximity to excellent academic institutions with complementary curricula to our industry, and most importantly a high-technology skilled and disciplined workforce available through the over 18,000 retiring military personnel annually.”

About Cobham:

Cobham’s products and services have been at the heart of sophisticated military and civil systems for more than 70 years, keeping people safe, improving communications, and enhancing the capability of land, sea, air and space platforms. The Company has four divisions employing more than 12,000 people on five continents, with customers and partners in over 100 countries and annual revenue of more than £1.4bn / $2.1 billion.

Cobham Defense Systems – one of Cobham’s four operating division – designs, develops and manufactures critical technology for network centric and intelligence operations, enabling information to be moved around and managed on the digital battlefield. The Division also supplies distinctive, high technology products for the commercial aerospace and civilian markets.

Contacts:

Greg Caires Julian Wais
Media Relations Investor Relations

+1 703 414 5319
+44 (0) 1202 857998

greg.caires@cobham.com
julian.wais@cobham.com

Cobham Awarded US$40m Contract for Digital Vehicle Intercom Systems — Press Release

Cobham Awarded US$40m Contract for Digital Vehicle Intercom Systems

BLACKBURN, United Kingdom – Cobham’s Defence Systems Division has received two delivery order releases valued at US$40m from Northrop Grumman for the ongoing supply of its ROVIS (AN/VIC-3) digital vehicular intercom systems for the US Army. All deliveries of the intercom system, which provides enhanced communication and situational awareness to users of armoured and light tactical vehicles including MRAPs, will be made by the end of first quarter 2010.

Allan Cook, Cobham Chief Executive said: “The demand for our digital vehicle intercom systems continues to grow, with more than 120,000 systems fielded with 18 armies around the world. This award builds on the success of the ROVIS (AN/VIC-3) product line which we have achieved through our ongoing relationship with Northrop Grumman in satisfying the US Army’s intercom requirements. ”

About Cobham:

Cobham’s products and services have been at the heart of sophisticated military and civil systems for more than 70 years, keeping people safe, improving communications, and enhancing the capability of land, sea, air and space platforms. The Company has four divisions employing more than 12,000 people on five continents, with customers and partners in over 100 countries and annual revenue of more than £1.4bn / $2.1 billion.

Cobham Defence Communications is a world leader in the design and supply of communication, battle management and soldier systems products which provide enhanced communications and tactical situational awareness for the warfighter. The Vehicular Intercommunication System product line provides enhanced communication and situational awareness to users of armoured and light vehicles and is in service with 18 armed forces around the world, with over 120,000 systems fielded.

Contacts:

Greg Caires
Julian Wais
Media Relations
Investor Relations

+1 703 414 5319
+44 (0) 1202 857998

greg.caires@cobham.com
julian.wais@cobham.com

Cobham Awarded £18m MFTS Contract — Press Release

Cobham Awarded £18m MFTS Contract

3 August 2009 — Cobham has been awarded a contract worth some £18 million by Ascent Flight Training for the first phase of the United Kingdom Military Flying Training Service (UKMFTS). The contract is for the modification of four special mission Hawker-Beechcraft B350ER King Air aircraft at Cobham Aviation Services facilities at Bournemouth International Airport, and the provision of in-service support for an initial period of five years at RNAS Culdrose.

Stephen Fitz-Gerald, President Cobham Aviation Services Division said “I’m delighted that we can contribute to the provision of training for Royal Naval observers in support of front line operations, using our extensive experience in the operation, modification and maintenance of both fixed wing and rotary aircraft for the UK MoD.”

About Cobham:

Cobham’s products and services have been at the heart of sophisticated military and civil systems for more than 70 years, keeping people safe, improving communications and enhancing the capability of land, sea, air and space platforms. The Company has four divisions employing more than 12,000 people on five continents, with customers and partners in over 100 countries and annual revenue of more than £1.4 billion / US$ 2.1 billion.

Cobham Aviation Services operates more than 150 fixed and rotary wing aircraft internationally. It operates the largest civil maritime surveillance contract in the world and trains all UK helicopter pilots for the Navy, Air Force and Army. The Division provides modern warfare training and essential flight inspection services for civil and military airports in the UK, Europe and beyond, and specialises in the conversion and support of a wide range of civil and military platforms.

Contacts:

Greg Caires Julian Wais
Media Relations Investor Relations
+1 703 414 5319 +44 (0) 1202 857998
greg.caires@cobham.com julian.wais@cobham.com

Cobham Awarded US$15m Contract for Advanced Next Generation Radio

Cobham Awarded US$15m Contract for Advanced Next Generation Radio

LOWELL, Massachusetts – Cobham has been awarded US$14.8 million by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for the Wireless Network after Next (WNaN) program.

Under this cost plus fixed fee contract, Cobham Sensor Systems in Lowell, Massachusetts, will design, develop and demonstrate low-cost wireless network nodes which support adaptation by means of distributed network processing. A key element of the design is affordability, to allow wide deployment throughout the Armed Services.

The radios will be demonstrated during follow-on field trials by the Department of Defense in 2010. The U.S. Air Force Research Lab (AFRL/RIKD) is the contracting activity.

About Cobham:

Cobham’s products and services have been at the heart of sophisticated military and civil systems for more than 70 years, keeping people safe, improving communications and enhancing the capability of land, sea, air and space platforms. The Company has four divisions employing more than 12,000 people on five continents, with customers and partners in over 100 countries and annual revenue of more than £1.4 billion / US$ 2.1 billion.

Cobham Sensor Systems designs and manufactures all classes of active and passive microwave components, assemblies and subsystems, composites and radomes for the aerospace and defense industries, and is the leading supplier of many microwave products.

Contacts:

Greg Caires
Julian Wais
Media Relations
Investor Relations

+1 703 414 5319
+44 (0) 1202 857998

greg.caires@cobham.com
julian.wais@cobham.com

Cobham Awarded US$32 Million US Navy Contract for Low Band Transmitters — Press Release

LANSDALE, Pennsylvania – Cobham has been awarded a US$32 million contract modification from the US Navy to provide 37 additional AN/ALQ-99 Low Band Transmitters (LBT) under Lot 2 of the program’s Full Rate Production (FRP) phase.

Work under this contract will be performed by Cobham Sensor Systems in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. Lot 2 deliveries are scheduled to begin in March 2011 and continue through November 2011.

This award, a modification to the existing Lansdale FRP Lot 1 contract, brings the total number of LBTs ordered by the Navy to 157, reflecting US$217 million in total Lansdale contracts. The FRP Lot 1 contract for 51 systems was announced by Cobham in April 2009 with a value of US$72M. The Navy intends to buy a total of 292 LBTs. To date, 46 systems have been delivered.

LBT is designed to protect strike aircraft, ships, and ground troops by disrupting enemy radar and communications. It is flown on US Navy and Marine Corps EA-6B aircraft, and is currently heavily used in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The US Navy also intends to use LBT on its newest Airborne Electronic Attack aircraft, the EA-18G Growler.

Steve Schaefer, Vice President of Cobham Sensor Systems, said:

“The Low Band Transmitter has been extremely effective and reliable with over 35,000 hours of total service since initial fielding. By replacing several legacy transmitters with one highly reliable system, Cobham has provided the Navy with increased capability to protect the deployed men and women operating in harm’s way.”

About Cobham:

Cobham’s products and services have been at the heart of sophisticated military and civil systems for more than 70 years, keeping people safe, improving communications and enhancing the capability of land, sea, air and space platforms. The Company has four divisions employing more than 12,000 people on five continents, with customers and partners in over 100 countries and annual revenue of more than £1.4 billion / US$ 2.1 billion.

Cobham Sensor Systems designs and manufactures all classes of active and passive microwave components, assemblies and subsystems, composites and radomes for the aerospace and defense industries, and is the leading supplier of many microwave products.

Contacts:

Greg Caires
Julian Wais
Media Relations Investor Relations

+1 703 414 5319
+44 (0) 1202 857998

greg.caires@cobham.com
julian.wais@cobham.com

Cobham Contract for Electronic Warfare Transmitters Increased to $72m by US Navy – Press Release

cobhamCobham plc (‘Cobham’) has received a contract modification from the US Navy to produce 51 ALQ-99 Low Band Transmitters (LBT) and provide spare parts for US$72 million. This contract, initially valued at US$37 million, was previously announced by the company in October 2008.

LBT is designed to protect strike aircraft, ships, and ground troops by disrupting enemy radar and communications signals. Employed aboard US Navy and Marine Corps EA-6B aircraft, LBT currently supports Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. LBT will also be used by the Navy’s newest Airborne Electronic Attack platform, the EA-18G Growler.

LBT is manufactured at the Cobham Sensor Systems facility in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. To date, 120 LBTs worth approximately US$185 million have been ordered, with 40 already fielded.

US Navy Captain Steve Kochman, manager of the EA-6B program office (PMA-234) said, “To Navy and Marine Corps aircrew, LBT is the ‘weapon of choice’ for Global War on Terrorism combat operations. LBT has proven exceptionally reliable and mission effective with over 30,000 operating hours in just over two years since introduction. This latest contract, that includes GWOT Supplemental funds, will accelerate deployment of additional transmitters that will make US forces more capable and reduce reliance on legacy equipment.”

ENQUIRIES

Greg Caires, Vice President – Media Relations +1 703 414 5319

Susan Ellis, Senior Communications Adviser +44(0)7836 522722

Julian Wais, Director of Investor Relations +44 (0)1202 857998

Notes

1. Cobham’s products and services have been at the heart of sophisticated military and civil systems for more than 70 years, keeping people safe, improving communications and enhancing the capability of land, sea, air and space platforms. The Company has four divisions employing more than 12,500 people on five continents, with customers and partners in over 100 countries and annual revenues of more than £1bn.

2. Cobham Defence Systems Division designs and manufactures critical technology for network centric and intelligence operations, enabling information to be moved around and managed on the digital battlefield.

The Division specialises in RF and microwave front ends for radar, communication and electronic warfare systems, providing components, integrated assemblies and subsystems for military aircraft, ground vehicles, missiles, naval vessels, space launch vehicles and satellites.

A comprehensive range of scientific, systems engineering and technical assistance services are provided to the intelligence and missile defence market, including training, testing and evaluation services for US tactical systems, including supportability analysis and training for Unmanned Aircraft Systems programmes.

The Division is also the world leader in advanced tactical military vehicle intercom systems and soldier and ground vehicle situation awareness products and supplies niche, high technology products for the commercial aerospace and civilian markets, including air traffic control and weather radars.

Greg Alan Caires, APR
Vice President, Media Relations
Cobham Corporate North America
2121 Crystal Drive, Suite 625
Arlington, VA 22202

703.414.5319 office
703.663.0274 mobile
703.414.5305 fax

greg.caires@cobham.com

Photo Courtesy of Cobham plc

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