Gibraltar, 8 May 2014. Ultra Electronics, the international defence, security, transport and energy company based in London and listed on the FTSE 250, has joined the WheelTug project through its recent acquisition of ICE Corporation, a WheelTug partner.
"WheelTug's strong business case and product are an excellent match for Ultra Electronics' skills and interests," said Ultra Electronics Controls' Managing Director Rob McDonald. "Ultra Electronics is excited about the opportunity to join the WheelTug project and in providing our world leading capabilities and personnel towards enhancing the WheelTug system."
WheelTug CEO Isaiah Cox adds, "The reputation, resources and capabilities of Ultra Electronics will further enhance WheelTug's development and market presence."
The biggest benefit of WheelTug is the time that it can save in ground operations such as parking the aircraft, unloading the aircraft and cooling its brakes before the next flight. As the WheelTug system is in the nose gear, there is no interference with brake cooling. This allows aircraft turnaround times to be reduced by as much as 15 to 20 minutes per flight, leading to a dramatic increase in fleet utilisation, as well as passenger satisfaction.
Other significant benefits of the WheelTug aircraft drive systems include lower fuel consumption during ground operations, removal of the time and costs related to the use of ground tugs, substantially reduced carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, increased safety and operational flexibility, reduced engine and brake wear, FOD repair costs, and decreased noise pollution.
WheelTug plc successfully installed and tested the first in-wheel WheelTug in Prague in June 2012. Video from the tests is available at http://media.wheeltug.com
The order book for WheelTug® aircraft drive systems is at 785 delivery slots reserved by fourteen airlines from Europe, America, the Middle East and Asia as of 8 May 2014. WheelTug is in active discussions with over 300 airlines worldwide, and expects to surpass 1,000 slot reservations this year.
Further information about Ultra:
Ultra Electronics is a group of businesses which manage a portfolio of specialist capabilities, generating highly differentiated solutions and products in the defence & aerospace, security & cyber, transport and energy markets by applying electronic and software technologies in demanding and critical environments to meet customer needs.
Across the Group's three divisions, the major market sectors in which Ultra operates are:
Defence: Ultra supplies advanced electronic and electrical systems and equipment to coalition defence forces around the world. The Group innovates to provide battle-winning, specialist capabilities that are tailored to the customer's need and environment. Ultra has world-class capabilities in sonar systems, command & control, platform electrics, surveillance systems and network communications solutions.
Security: Ultra provides highly differentiated systems and capabilities to the broad security, intelligence and cyber market. Ultra has highly specialised capabilities in secure communications, networks and cryptographic equipment, key management systems and surveillance systems and intelligence gathering systems.
Transport: Ultra provides specialist software, systems and equipment for use in mass passenger transport systems. This includes high integrity real-time controls for civil aircraft, advanced IT solutions for modern airports and trackside power equipment for transit rail systems
Energy: Ultra has a range of safety critical sensors and controls used in existing and new build nuclear reactors. The Group has innovative portable energy sources powered by readily available propane gas.
About WheelTug plc
WheelTug plc is a Gibraltar Corporation. A full listing of WheelTug partner companies and airline customers is on the company's website at http://www.wheeltug.gi.
Forward-looking statement at http://www.wheeltug.gi/fls.shtml
