A joint venture (JV) between Ultra Electronics (ULE) and Sparton DeLeon Springs has secured an indefinite delivery / indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to supply sonobuoys to the US Navy.

Known as ERAPSCO, the JV will provide production subcontracts to Ultra Electronics and Sparton. The five-year IDIQ contract has a potential value of up to $1.04bn.

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Ultra Electronics USSI and Sparton will receive orders worth $75.75m and $75.26m from the US Navy.

Ultra Electronics CEO Simon Pryce said: “I am very pleased that we have secured this important contract for Ultra and that we will continue to provide critical sensor capabilities to the US Navy for many years ahead.

“This contract is a reflection of the increased focus on anti-submarine warfare by the US Navy and ERAPSCO’s strength and expertise in this area.”

Production of equipment under the contract will be carried out in DeLeon Springs, Florida and Columbia City, Indiana.

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Sparton Engineered Components & Products CEO William Toti said: “Hundreds of Sparton employees work tirelessly, day and night, with our Fleet Sailors always in mind. It’s Sparton’s great honour to provide both innovative technology and a stable industrial base for our undersea forces.”

According to the US Department of Defense, the contract calls for the delivery of 37,500 AN/SSQ-36B, 685,000 AN/SSQ-53G, 120,000 AN/SSQ-62F, and 90,000 AN/SSQ-101B sonobuoys over a five-year period.

Sonobuoys are used for anti-submarine warfare operations. The air-launched electro-mechanical acoustic sensors have the ability to relay underwater sounds of ships and submarines.

Work is expected to be completed in September 2025.

In July last year, ERAPSCO challenged the US Navy’s decision to exclude it from GFY19-23 Q-125A sonobuoy solicitation.

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