SPS

What SPS does

SPS Corp. (Special Protection System), founded in 1991 and headquartered at 1 Hay Hill, Berkeley Square, London, is a privately-held defense aerospace integrator specializing in self-protection systems for civil, VIP, and paramilitary airborne platforms. The company designs, certifies, and installs anti-missile protection systems that detect, track, and counter heat-seeking surface-to-air missiles (MANPADS) during the most vulnerable phases of flight — primarily takeoff and landing below approximately 18,000 feet.

SPS's core technology integrates Pulse-Doppler radar with infrared (IR) detectors for missile approach warning (MAWS), paired with automated flare/chaff dispensing subsystems sourced from IMI (Israel Military Industries). The integrated system delivers >99% probability of MANPADS detection, a 1 to 1.3 second reaction time from launch to dispense, 400m to 4,000m detection range, 360-degree azimuth coverage with elevation from +15 to -45 degrees, and 97% countermeasure effectiveness against 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation IR missiles, with a low false alarm rate of 1 in 300 flights. The portfolio is segmented into three platform-specific solutions: Helicopter Self-Protection (MI-17, MI-8, MI-24, Bell-212/412, UH-60, CH-153), Executive Jet Self-Protection (Boeing 707/737, Fokker-70, Airbus A319, Falcon 900B, G550), and Large Jet Liner Self-Protection (Boeing 767, C-130, C-160, Fokker-27/60, Antonov-32B). Each platform family is backed by Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) issued by European and American civil aviation authorities, with SPS explicitly identified as the only company holding anti-missile STCs across Airbus A319, A320, Boeing 767, S-92A, and AS332L1 platforms.

The business model combines one-time licensing/integration revenue tied to bespoke STC installations, hardware sales of proprietary MAWS sensors and countermeasure dispensers, and turnkey professional services covering design, engineering, kit production, mechanical modifications, installation, testing, and FAR 25 / STC certification for both SPS and third-party avionics. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales to defense ministries, government VIP transport operators, and commercial airlines, supported by a small set of regional channel and maintenance partners (AGM Aerospace Marketing Services, AAL Altenrhein Aviation, BBA Beechcraft Berlin Aviation). Pricing is custom-quoted per platform, threat profile, and certification scope and is not publicly disclosed.

Name

SPS

Legal name

SPS Corp.

Website

https://sps-corp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Founded in 1991 and headquartered in London, SPS Corp. designs, certifies, and installs anti-missile self-protection systems for civil, VIP, and military aircraft using radar and infrared detection with automated countermeasures. It serves military forces, executive jet operators, and commercial airlines globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aircraft Survivability Equipment

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)

akta.pro primary industry

Fire Control Systems & Weapon Control Electronics (IMABAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Military Avionics, Mission Computers & Flight Controls (IMABAMAE)

Keywords

• Aircraft missile protection
• Anti-missile defense systems
• Aviation survivability equipment
• Missile warning systems
• Airborne self-protection technology

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Anti-missile system integration and certification: Custom design, engineering, mechanical modifications, installation and certification services for integrating self-protection systems onto airborne platforms. Includes Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for various aircraft types.
2. Hardware and countermeasure systems: Sale of proprietary MAWS sensors, countermeasure dispensing systems, and related hardware components for aircraft self-protection.
3. Turnkey avionics services: Full design, engineering, kit mechanical and electrical production, structural modifications, installation, analysis reports, testing and certification for airborne platform modifications.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

SPS designs, develops, and integrates self-protection systems for civil, VIP, paramilitary, and commercial airborne platforms against heat-seeking anti-aircraft missiles. The offering combines Pulse-Doppler radar and IR detection sensors with automated flare/chaff countermeasure dispensing, delivered alongside turnkey avionics installation, engineering, and Supplemental Type Certification (STC) services. The company holds STCs for anti-missile systems on aircraft including Airbus A319, A320, Boeing 767, and VIP helicopters S-92A and AS332L1.

Product overview

SPS offers a unified self-protection system portfolio centered on its core anti-missile protection technology, which comprises missile approach warning systems (MAWS), threat analysis capabilities, and countermeasure dispensing systems. The product line is segmented into three platform-specific solutions: Helicopter Self-Protection Solutions for rotary-wing aircraft, Executive Jet Self-Protection Solutions for business and VIP jets, and Large Jet Liner Self-Protection Solutions for commercial and transport aircraft. These solutions share common technology components including Pulse-Doppler radar and IR detectors, with modular countermeasure systems adapted to each platform type. Systems Integration Services provides complementary installation and certification support across all aircraft platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SPS Self-Protection System Integrated anti-missile protection system for aircraft combining Pulse-Doppler radar and IR detectors for missile detection, advanced threat tracking, and automatic countermeasure deployment to defend against heat-seeking anti-aircraft missiles. Designed for civil, VIP, paramilitary, and commercial airborne platforms.
• Helicopter Self-Protection Solutions Low-cost, proactive, combat-proven self-protection solutions tailored for light, medium, and large rotary-wing aircraft platforms including MI-17, MI-172 (VIP), MI-8, MI-24, Bell-212, Bell-412, UH-60 (Black Hawk), and CH-153 helicopters. For military, paramilitary, and VIP helicopter operators.
• Executive Jet Self-Protection Solutions Comprehensive self-protection systems for business and VIP executive jets including Boeing 707, Boeing 737, Fokker-70, Airbus A319, Falcon 900B, and G550 aircraft, defending against surface-to-air missiles during vulnerable takeoff and landing phases. For VIP transport operators, heads of state, and corporate flight departments.
• Large Jet Liner Self-Protection Solutions Highly-efficient integrated self-protection solutions for large commercial and transport aircraft including Boeing 767, C-130, C-160, Fokker-27, Fokker-60, and Antonov-32B, using Pulse-Doppler radar detection and IMI-designed flare countermeasures. For commercial airlines and transport aircraft operators.
• Systems Integration Services Turnkey avionics services including design, engineering, kit mechanical and electrical production, structural modifications, installation, analysis reports, testing, and certification for airborne platform modifications, supporting both SPS self-protection solutions and third-party avionics system integration.

Quantifiable outcome

• >99% Probability of Detection (POD) of MANPADS
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IMI (Israel Military Industries)coreTechnology or IntegrationIMI provides the flare countermeasure technology (IMI-designed flares) used in SPS's anti-missile protection systems to decoy infrared-homed missiles. This is a key supplier relationship for the countermeasure subsystem.
• AGM Aerospace Marketing ServicesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRelated company listed on SPS website under 'Related companies' - appears to be a marketing/channel partner in the aerospace sector.
• AAL – Altenrhein AviationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRelated company listed on SPS website under 'Related companies' - appears to be an aviation partner potentially assisting with regional coverage.
• BBA - Beechcraft Berlin AviationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRelated company listed on SPS website under 'Related companies' - appears to be a maintenance and aviation partner potentially assisting with installation and integration services in European region.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Chemring Group: Major supplier of advanced infra-red and radar countermeasure flares and chaff used by militaries worldwide. Closely related to SPS in the countermeasure subsystem, though Chemring focuses on the expendables rather than the integrated system.
• Elbit Systems: Offers the C-MUSIC and J-MUSIC directed IR countermeasure (DIRCM) systems for civil and military aircraft, plus missile warning sensors. A highly direct competitor in the aircraft self-protection space, with overlapping VIP and commercial aviation platform coverage.
• Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI/Elta): Provides airborne missile detection systems, radar-based MAWS, and integrated self-protection suites for military and VIP aircraft. A direct competitor in the missile warning and countermeasure dispenser domain, with similar airborne protection focus.

Broad incumbents

• Northrop Grumman: Provides the LAIRCM (Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures) system and other missile warning and countermeasure suites for military and civil aircraft. A direct competitor in aircraft self-protection at the high end of the market, with far broader R&D, platform access, and DIRCM technology.
• Rheinmetall: Offers integrated air defence and countermeasure technologies, including airborne self-protection products. A broader European defence prime that overlaps with SPS in the vehicle and platform protection market.
• Thales: Provides missile warning systems, radar-based MAWS, and integrated electronic warfare suites for military and civil aircraft. Competitor in the aeronautical detection and protection space, especially on European platforms where SPS also holds STCs.
• Leonardo: Offers the Miysis DIRCM and integrated electronic warfare self-protection systems for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Overlaps with SPS on certified, multi-platform aircraft self-protection solutions.
• BAE Systems: Manufactures the AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) and integrates it with countermeasure dispensers and other survivability equipment. Overlaps with SPS on MAWS-class detection and IR countermeasure dispensing for helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
• Saab: Offers the Arexis electronic warfare suite including missile warning and self-protection components for fighter and military aircraft. Competes in the broader aeronautical detection and countermeasure dispenser category.
• L3Harris Technologies: Provides aircraft self-protection systems including missile warning sensors and integrated countermeasures for military platforms. A broader incumbent in the same electronic warfare and survivability equipment segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sps-corp.

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SPS