Cobham Technical Services
Encyclopedia
Cobham Technical Services (the trading name of Cobham CTS Ltd) is a UK-based technology organisation with a history dating back to 1920. Its primary business comprises three distinct business streams, focused on delivery of leading-edge technologies and services for aerospace, defence, security and commercial applications. These include niche products for terrestrial and satellite communications, navigation and sensor applications; technical services and specialised systems for high-voltage and lightning testing; and industry-leading electromagnetic and multi-physics simulation software products.
Prior to ERA, there had been no real facility for co-operative electrical research in the UK, although some research was carried out by a few manufacturers, suppliers and larger users of electricity. ERA filled the recognised gap in the organisation of the industry, by supplying research and technology innovation.
During the 1939-1945 war, direct assistance to the war effort was given by ERA, having been recognised by the Ministry of Labour
in 1941 as an 'essential undertaking'. Activities during the war included working on the development of radar and mine detection equipment.
Major new laboratories and offices were opened in Leatherhead
, Surrey in 1957 which have remained the principal location of the organisation ever since. Development on the 15-acre campus site has continued to the present day with the addition of several large purpose-built facilities.
In September 1979 ERA formally changed its name from The Electrical Research Association Ltd to ERA Technology Ltd.
During the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s ERA continued to grow and develop into new research areas, including RF technology and electronic systems. It also expanded into providing a wide range of engineering consultancy services for mechanical as well as electronic and electrical systems. In doing so it established itself as one of Britain's leading independent consulting organisations at the leading edge of technology development.
In January 2001, the entire organisation was transferred to a new trading company, limited by shares. The original company, still limited by guarantee, was renamed The ERA Foundation. The trading operation, retaining the name ERA Technology, was run as a wholly commercial enterprise, responsible to its shareholders.
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In March 2009, ERA Technology, Culham Lightning and Vector Fields assumed the collective trading name Cobham Technical Services as part of a Group wide rebranding programme by FTSE 100 parent company Cobham plc
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In March 2011, Cobham plc completed the divestment of the engineering consultancy group of Cobham Technical Services to edif Group , which took the legal entity name “ERA Technology Ltd”. The retained Cobham business continues to trade as Cobham Technical Services but has changed its legal entity name to Cobham CTS Ltd and comprises:
History
The history of Cobham Technical Services dates back to 1920 with the incorporation of “The British Electrical and Allied Industries Research Association”, which became generally known as “The Electrical Research Association”, or “ERA”. Initially, ERA’s funding came jointly from government, through the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, from industry, and from the subscriptions of member companies.Prior to ERA, there had been no real facility for co-operative electrical research in the UK, although some research was carried out by a few manufacturers, suppliers and larger users of electricity. ERA filled the recognised gap in the organisation of the industry, by supplying research and technology innovation.
During the 1939-1945 war, direct assistance to the war effort was given by ERA, having been recognised by the Ministry of Labour
Ministry of Labour
The Ministry of Labour was a British civil service department established by the New Ministries and Secretaries Act 1916. It was renamed the Employment Department in 1988, and finally abolished in 1995...
in 1941 as an 'essential undertaking'. Activities during the war included working on the development of radar and mine detection equipment.
Major new laboratories and offices were opened in Leatherhead
Leatherhead
Leatherhead is a town in the County of Surrey, England, on the River Mole, part of Mole Valley district. It is thought to be of Saxon origin...
, Surrey in 1957 which have remained the principal location of the organisation ever since. Development on the 15-acre campus site has continued to the present day with the addition of several large purpose-built facilities.
Privatisation
Until the late 1960s, ERA had derived much of its income from member company subscriptions and UK government grants. After 1969 ERA began reorganising its mode of operation to reflect the rapidly changing technology base within the industries it served. This enabled the company to derive income from single client and multi-client projects. ERA became the first 'privatised' research association.In September 1979 ERA formally changed its name from The Electrical Research Association Ltd to ERA Technology Ltd.
During the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s ERA continued to grow and develop into new research areas, including RF technology and electronic systems. It also expanded into providing a wide range of engineering consultancy services for mechanical as well as electronic and electrical systems. In doing so it established itself as one of Britain's leading independent consulting organisations at the leading edge of technology development.
In January 2001, the entire organisation was transferred to a new trading company, limited by shares. The original company, still limited by guarantee, was renamed The ERA Foundation. The trading operation, retaining the name ERA Technology, was run as a wholly commercial enterprise, responsible to its shareholders.
Cobham plc
In September 2003, the company announced the agreement to sell the entire issued share capital of ERA Technology to Cobham plcCobham plc
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...
.
In March 2009, ERA Technology, Culham Lightning and Vector Fields assumed the collective trading name Cobham Technical Services as part of a Group wide rebranding programme by FTSE 100 parent company Cobham plc
Cobham plc
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...
.
In March 2011, Cobham plc completed the divestment of the engineering consultancy group of Cobham Technical Services to edif Group , which took the legal entity name “ERA Technology Ltd”. The retained Cobham business continues to trade as Cobham Technical Services but has changed its legal entity name to Cobham CTS Ltd and comprises:
- Antenna and Electronic Systems (Leatherhead, UK): advanced products and state-of-the-art technologies for terrestrial and satellite communications, navigation and radar systems.
- Vector Fields Software (Kidlington, UK): 2D and 3D electromagnetic modelling software products, Concerto and Opera.
- Lightning Testing & Consultancy (Abingdon, UK): aerospace and infrastructure lightning testing and R&D in associated technologies.
In the news
- ERA's Ground Penetrating Radar used to discover buried victims of serial killer Fred WestFred WestFrederick Walter Stephen West , was a British serial killer. Between 1967 and 1987, he alone, and later, he and his wife Rosemary, tortured, raped and murdered at least 11 young women and girls, many at the couple's homes. The majority of the murders occurred between May 1973 and September 1979 at...
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- ERA's Ground Penetrating Radar used to discover buried victims of serial killer Peter TobinPeter TobinPeter Britton Tobin is a convicted Scottish serial killer and sex offender now serving a sentence of life imprisonment for the murders of three young women....
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