Ferranti: Defence
Note: This is a sub-section of Ferranti
WWII Ferranti became a major supplier of electronics, and was heavily involved in the early development of radar in the United Kingdom.
1943 The Edinburgh factory was opened to manufacture Gyro Gun Sights signalling the beginning of the Scottish Group and Ferranti's move into the Defence market
Post-WWII Electronics, having been identified as the most promising growth area for the company, this became a large segment of Ferranti, with various branches supplying radar sets, avionics and other military electronics, both in the UK and through their various international offices.
1954 Guided Weapon research began at Wythenshawe.
1959 Supplied the guidance and control system for the Bloodhound missile.
1984 The Company was restructured into 5 operating divisions. The Scottish Group of subsidiaries was split in 2:
- Ferranti Defence Systems
- Ferranti Industrial Electronics
Defence Systems consisted of 5 trading units, all based in Edinburgh:
- Radar Systems
- Navigation Systems
- Display Systems
- Electro-optics
- Product Support
1990 GEC acquired the defence radar parts of Ferranti. This would provide more stability for the unit, mainly located in Edinburgh, which was bidding to win the contract for the Eurofighter. The sale reduced the Ferranti company's dependence on defence work to about half of its total sales.[1]
Another successful part of this division was Naval Systems which provided command and control systems and weapons control systems for warships. It was located at Bracknell as was the Systems integration business which provided warning systems for ships, soldiers and air defence systems. The defence simulation business had been slimmed down but still had attractive contracts to fulfil at the end of 1993[2]