Plextek targets growth in military projects with formation of specialist Defence Group

Plextek's electronics design services include:FPGA design, ESCAN Radar, MMIC design, GPRS design, Communications product design, Microwave design Defence electronics, Electronic product design, RF design, DSP design, Telemetry system, System Integration,Communications system design, Due diligence

Press Release

Plextek targets growth in military projects with formation of specialist Defence Group

Promoting Plextek's ability to innovate military solutions based on commercial technologies

Issued 14/05/2008

Plextek, the Cambridge-based electronics and communications design consultancy, has formed a specialist Defence Group focussed specifically on defence contracts and MoD liaison. The Defence Group was set up as part of a strategic initiative to help raise Plextek's visibility in the supply chain and strengthen the company's existing relationships with the MoD and the wider defence industry. The group will play a key role in communicating the potential application of Plextek's commercial expertise in the MoD environment.

Central to the set up of the Defence Group is Plextek's recent acquisition of Cambridge Unmanned, whose expertise includes research and development of unmanned air systems, air vehicle propulsion, system integration, simulation and modelling, and prototype trials and demonstrations. Plextek has retained Cambridge Unmanned's core team of vastly experienced defence specialists - Mike Roberts, Gavin Deane, John Rogers, Andy Jude and Gavin Goudie.

British Army veteran Bob Tonkins has also joined Plextek's Defence Group. His service in the Royal Engineers included time spent as a Bomb Disposal Officer as well as commanding the National Search Centre at Chatham.

The new team combines vast experience of government, defence and commercial projects with skill sets in software and hardware design, mathematical modelling and simulation, aeronautical engineering, rapid prototyping/manufacture and systems engineering.

"Over the years Plextek has built up solid experience in the design of defence electronics working with many of the main defence primes and to a limited extent the MoD," explains Ian Murphy, Technical Director at Plextek. "Last year the defence sector accounted for about 25% of Plextek's business, but we've always felt that we were skimming the surface in terms of the potential opportunities that existed. As an SME with limited resource it has historically been a struggle to penetrate many of these organisations, so we've not always been able to see what we can provide, and where we can help."

Murphy continues: "The new Defence Group will help Plextek get itself known higher up the defence supply chain so we're closer to the right people and are more aware of opportunities. This will help us to turn more ideas and leads into actual business and hopefully build initial projects into bigger follow up work. The team's vast experience in the defence industry means they talk the right language and provide customers with a focused interface which will service their needs to the best of our ability."