Type Public Industry Aerospace, defence Operating income | Traded as LSE: COB Founded 1934 Revenue 2.072 billion GBP (2015) | |
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Key people Mike Wareing, Chairman
David Lockwood, CEO Stock price COB (LON) 126.49 GBX -3.11 (-2.40%)7 Mar, 5:07 PM GMT - Disclaimer Headquarters Wimborne Minster, United Kingdom CEO David Lockwood (12 Dec 2016–) Subsidiaries Cobham Aviation Services Australia Profiles | ||
Cobham plc is a British manufacturing company based in Wimborne Minster, Dorset, England. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. According to Defense News it is the 51st largest defense firm in the world, and the fifth largest in the UK, based on 2013 revenue.
Contents
History
Cobham was founded as Flight Refuelling Limited (FRL) at RAF Ford in Sussex by Sir Alan Cobham in 1934. It moved to Tarrant Rushton in Dorset in 1947. It developed the 'probe and drogue' method of air-to-air refuelling in 1949 and Michael Cobham took over the leadership of the business from his father in 1969.
In September 1997 it acquired ML Aviation for £37 million, which had taken over Nash & Thompson, a major competitor, the previous year.
In early 2008 Cobham purchased S-TEC Corporation, maker of general aviation autopilots for $38 million, and in February 2008 Cobham bought the sensor and antenna systems division of BAE Systems for $240 million. Then in June 2008 Cobham acquired Sparta Inc., a US defence business, for $416 million (it was renamed Cobham Analytic Solutions). In September 2008 Cobham completed the purchase of the radio frequency components business of M/A-COM for $425 million.
In April 2009 Cobham agreed to purchase Argotek Inc., a provider of high-end information assurance services to the United States Intelligence Community, for $36 million. Then in June 2009 a Cobham – Northrop Grumman 50–50 joint venture won the US Army's US$2.4 billion competition to supply Vehicular Intercom Systems.
In October 2011 Cobham Analytic Solutions was sold for $350 million to the privately owned Parsons Corporation.
In June 2012 Cobham acquired Danish satellite communications company Thrane & Thrane A/S, making it the core of Cobham's new SATCOM strategic business unit (SBU), to include SeaTel marine, TracStar land and Omnipless airborne SATCOM product lines.
Then in May 2013 Cobham acquired antenna systems business, Axell Wireless. In July 2013 Cobham bought out FB Heliservices joint venture partner Bristow Helicopters.
In April 2014, Cobham sold Chelton Flight Systems and S-TEC Corporation to Genesys Aerosystems.
In May 2014, Cobham acquired wireless communications company, Aeroflex Holding Corporation for $1.46 billion.
In August 2016, David Lockwood was named CEO, replacing Bob Murphy.
Operations
Cobham is organised into three technology divisions: Mission Systems, Defence Systems, Aerospace and Surveillance. The former Aviation Services division is now a strategic business unit (SBU) within Cobham Mission Systems.
The Cobham Mission Systems Division claims to be the world market leader in aerial refuelling.
The Cobham Defence Systems Division specialises in radar, communication and electronic warfare systems, and claims to be the world leader in advanced tactical military vehicle intercom systems.
The Cobham Aerospace and Security Division provides a range of electronic products for airborne, marine and land applications.
The Cobham Aviation Services SBU operates more than 150 fixed and rotary wing aircraft around the world. It specialises in the conversion and support of a wide range of civil and military aircraft, and through an FB Heliservices consortium with Bristow Helicopters at the UK's Defence Helicopter Flying School trains all UK helicopter pilots for the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and British Army.
Products
Carleton Life Support, a subsidiary of Cobham based in Davenport, Iowa, makes the MK 16 rebreather used by the United States Navy.
The company produces the Guardian ST820, a battery-operated tracing device used by the American FBI. The device is secured under a car by a strong magnet. It is only available to law enforcement agencies.
In his 2015 book Data and Goliath, American security expert Bruce Schneier wrote that Cobham sells a system enabling buyers to send "blind calls" to mobile phones: calls that don't ring, and are undetectable by the recipient. As described by Schneier, the blind call allows the sender to track the phone's location to within one metre. Schneier noted that Cobham's customers include the governments of Algeria, Brunei, Ghana, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and the United States.
Queen's Awards for Enterprise
Sports club
The company created Cobham Sports and Social Club, a members' club in Merley, near the main manufacturing site in Wimborne, Dorset, which is used as the ground for Merley Cobham Sports F.C.