Ultra
Ultra (Cobham Ultra) is a privately held, Advent International-owned UK defense technology group that designs and manufactures mission-critical undersea warfare, command and control, tactical communications, and safety-critical aerospace systems for Five Eyes defense forces and allied governments.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1961
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Ultra does
Ultra, operating under the Cobham Ultra brand, is a privately held UK-domiciled defense technology group owned by Advent International. The company designs and manufactures mission-critical systems for military and government customers worldwide, organized into operating divisions covering undersea warfare (Ultra Maritime), mission software and tactical communications (Ultra Intelligence & Communications), safety-critical aerospace control systems (Ultra Precision Control Systems), a defense technology venture arm (C16 Ventures), and managed cyber security services (CORVID). Its portfolio spans sonobuoys, towed sonar arrays, torpedo defense systems, electronic warfare, counter-UUV capabilities, command and control platforms, tactical communications, crypto solutions, and safety-critical aerospace controls — with global #1 positions claimed in future ASW and torpedo technologies.
The company sells primarily to Five Eyes defense forces (US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ) and allied nations through direct government procurement channels and defense prime contractors, using custom quote-based pricing on long-term defense contracts. Revenue is generated through hardware sales and recurring defense contracts. The business operates across 25+ sites in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia, with engineering and manufacturing hubs in locations including Cheltenham, Cambridge, Dartmouth, Chantilly, Braintree, Montreal, and Adelaide.
In 2021, Cobham acquired Ultra Electronics to form Cobham Ultra as an Advent International portfolio company. The group is undergoing significant portfolio reshaping in 2026: Ultra Maritime has been agreed for sale to Lockheed Martin, and Ultra I&C's Mission Solutions business has been agreed for sale to Booz Allen Hamilton. Ultra applies AI/ML capabilities at the tactical edge for autonomous undersea sensing, multi-domain data fusion in command and control platforms, and anomaly detection in cyber security services.
Ultra firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ultra
- Legal name
- Ultra Electronics Holdings plc
- Website
- https://ultra.group
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1961
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Ultra (Cobham Ultra) is a privately held, Advent International-owned UK defense technology group that designs and manufactures mission-critical undersea warfare, command and control, tactical communications, and safety-critical aerospace systems for Five Eyes defense forces and allied governments.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ultra industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Defense Electronics and Military Systems
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480), Aircraft & Parts (3720)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Submarine Combat Systems & Sonar Manufacturing (CMS, Sensors, EW) (IMAJAOAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Radar Systems & Subsystems (Airborne, Ground, Naval) (IMABAGAA), Torpedoes & Undersea Weapons (IMABAHAF), Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Electronics for Weapons (IMABAGAH), Military Aircraft Survivability Systems (Self-Protection) (IMABAMAI), Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) & Multirotor Drones (IMABAIAA)
Keywords
Where Ultra is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices24 records
Markets served
Ultra business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Defense Systems Sales: Sale of mission-critical defense systems including maritime, intelligence & communications, and precision control solutions to military and government customers
- Defense Contracts: Long-term defense contracts for specialized military systems and solutions
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels2 records
Ultra product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ultra (Cobham Ultra) designs, manufactures, and sells mission-critical defense electronics, including undersea warfare systems (sonobuoys, sonar arrays, torpedo defense), AI-enabled command and control platforms, tactical communications and crypto solutions, and safety-critical aerospace control systems. The company serves military and government customers across Five-Eyes nations and allied countries through its Maritime, Intelligence & Communications, Precision Control Systems, and C16 Ventures divisions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ultra Maritime: Undersea warfare solutions provider specialising in sonobuoys, sonar systems, torpedo technologies, radar, and electronic warfare for Five Eyes and allied nations.
- Ultra I&C (Intelligence & Communications)
- Ultra PCS (Precision Control Systems)
- C16 Ventures
- CORVID
Quantifiable outcome
- 14th consecutive year ROSPA gold medal award for health and safety
Companies that use Ultra
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ultra technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature8 records
Ultra partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Booz Allen Hamiltonmajor transactionBooz Allen Hamilton has agreed to acquire Ultra I&C's Mission Solutions business, further strengthening its defense technology portfolio. This is a significant transaction that divests part of Ultra I&C's operations.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ultra competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Saab: Swedish defense group with strong naval, undersea warfare, radar, and command-and-control portfolios; competes with Ultra Maritime and Ultra I&C across naval and multi-domain programs.
- L3Harris Technologies: US defense electronics specialist in tactical communications, maritime electronic warfare, and undersea sensing; closest US-headquartered peer to Ultra I&C and Ultra Maritime.
- Thales: Direct peer in undersea warfare (sonar, sonobuoys, torpedo defense), naval radar, and tactical communications — a direct competitor in many of Ultra Maritime's and Ultra I&C's primary markets.
- Elbit Systems: Israeli defense electronics group active in EW, communications, and C4I — directly comparable to Ultra I&C in tactical communications and command-and-control offerings.
- Hensoldt: European defense sensor specialist in radar, electronic warfare, and sonar — a direct peer to Ultra Maritime's sensor portfolio and Ultra I&C's EW work.
- Leonardo: European defense electronics group competing in sonar, undersea sensors, electronic warfare, and secure communications — directly comparable to Ultra's undersea and I&C offerings.
Broad incumbents
- BAE Systems: Large UK/US defense prime with overlapping naval, maritime, and electronic warfare portfolios. Closely comparable to Ultra's Maritime and Precision Control Systems businesses across ASW, sonar, and combat systems.
- Lockheed Martin: US defense prime and the announced acquirer of Ultra Maritime. Comparable as a buyer and integrator of undersea warfare and maritime mission systems, though much broader in scope.
- Booz Allen Hamilton: US defense technology and consulting firm that is acquiring Ultra I&C's Mission Solutions business; comparable as a broader defense digital and mission solutions incumbent to Ultra I&C's remaining portfolio.
- RTX (Raytheon): US defense prime with adjacent capabilities in missile systems, electronic warfare, and tactical communications — a broad incumbent competing for many of the same programs as Ultra I&C and Ultra Maritime.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ultra social profiles
Digital presenceUltra financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ultra leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Ultra subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
Ultra funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ultra M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A25 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ultra
What does Ultra do?
Ultra (Cobham Ultra) designs, manufactures, and sells mission-critical defense electronics, including undersea warfare systems (sonobuoys, sonar arrays, torpedo defense), AI-enabled command and control platforms, tactical communications and crypto solutions, and safety-critical aerospace control systems. The company serves military and government customers across Five-Eyes nations and allied countries through its Maritime, Intelligence & Communications, Precision Control Systems, and C16 Ventures divisions.
Is Ultra a public or private company?
Ultra is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Ultra founded?
Ultra was founded in 1961. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Ultra based?
Ultra is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Ultra make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Defense Systems Sales are the primary driver. The others are defense Contracts.
Who are Ultra's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Saab, L3Harris Technologies, Thales, Elbit Systems, Hensoldt and Leonardo. Broad incumbents are BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen Hamilton and RTX (Raytheon).
Does Ultra have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ultra.
What industry is Ultra in?
Ultra's product category is Defense Electronics and Military Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAJAOAH, Submarine Combat Systems & Sonar Manufacturing (CMS, Sensors, EW), with a secondary code of IMABAGAA, Radar Systems & Subsystems (Airborne, Ground, Naval). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.