ASDWire distribution date: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:11:00 GMT +0100

Ultra awarded contract from Diehl BGT Defence for IRIS-T SL

Gloucester, U.K., 20 April 2009 --[ASDWire]-- Ultra Electronics Precision Air Systems has received orders from Diehl BGT Defence GmbH & Co. to develop Ultra's High Pressure Pure Air Generator (HiPPAG(tm)) as the Cooling Gas Compressor Unit, along with the supply of Solenoid Valves for gas distribution to the missile IR detectors, in the IRIS-T SL (Infra Red Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector Controlled, Surface Launched) missile programme.

Use of the HiPPAG system and solenoid valves in the launch vehicle will enable the IRIS-T SL missiles to continuously protect land assets from a variety of hostile air threats, by providing an uninterrupted supply of high purity compressed air used by the missile seeker cooling system.

"As a long standing supplier of pneumatic components for the air-to-air version of the IRIS-T missile we are delighted to be selected for this latest evolution of the IRIS-T family of systems. This is a further example of Ultra's innovative technology being used in mission critical applications." said Andy Yates, Managing Director of Precision Air Systems.

The IRIS-T SL will be integrated as the complementary ground-based, medium-range air defence missile system for Germany, in the tri-national MEADS air defence programme under contract by the United States, Germany and Italy.

Over 5,000 HiPPAG's are in operational use and it is the only qualified airborne high pressure pure air compressor system in military service being used to generate cryogenic cooling gas for infra-red guided missiles and also as an energy source for pneumatic ejection of weapons from aircraft. HiPPAG is the only compressor to have passed the rigorous and demanding qualification tests required by the F-35 Lightning II, Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), F/A-18 C/D and E/F, Eurofighter Typhoon and Trigat Anti-tank missile programmes.

About Ultra Electronics
Ultra Electronics is a group of specialist businesses designing, manufacturing, and supporting electronic and electromechanical systems, sub-systems and products for defence, security and aerospace applications worldwide. The Group focuses on obtaining a technological edge in niche markets, with many of its products and technologies being market leaders in their field.

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