Filtronic secures 'landmark' deal with SpaceX

RADIO frequency technology specialist Filtronic has landed a $62.5m (£47.3m) contract with Elon Musk’s SpaceX - the latest in a growing relationship between the County Durham firm and its US partner.

- TOM KEIGHLEY

The deal is Filtronic’s single largest order to date and concerns its proprietary gallium nitride (GaN) E-band product which offers greater power density and efficiency in satellites. Initial products will ship in the firm’s 2027 financial year, with revenues expected in 2027 and 2028.

Bosses at Filtronic have also extended an agreement which allows SpaceX to buy shares in their company.

The deal will now cover E-band GaN products, with the vesting criteria amended to double the number of products required and include a delivery trigger to replace the previous purchase order trigger a move which Filtronic says makes for closer alignment to the US giant.