Member Article

Reading's Cohort secures £17m Royal Navy technology order

Independent technology group Cohort plc has announced that its subsidiary SEA has been awarded a contract with BAE Systems worth a potential £17m.

The order will see the systems engineering firm provide its External Communications System (ECS) as part of the second stage common External Communications System (cECS) for the Royal Navy, including design and procurement.

SEA’s External Communications System is a modular system based on open interfaces and standards, giving added flexibility when installing and expanding new communications equipment.

The firm already has an agreement in place with the British defence organisation to provide the ECS for five new build submarines, after it was awarded the contract in 2009. SEA was also awarded a further contract in October 2014 which will see the introduction of cECS, which will extend ECS to all classes of the Royal Navy’s submarines.

This third agreement will see cECS enter its second stage of development, continuing the firm’s work into 2017 with further orders expected.

Andrew Thomis, Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted that this important programme is continuing in line with our expectations. This substantial new order builds on the award in 2014 and we look forward to continuing our successful relationship with BAE Systems and the Royal Navy.”