Solid State plc (AIM: SOLI), the AIM-listed specialist value-added supplier and design-in manufacturer of computing, power, and communications products, has announced that its subsidiary Steatite Ltd has won a follow-on order worth US$26.2 million under Project CAIN, a major UK Government defence programme. The contract covers the supply of secure, ruggedised systems including MPU5 and Wave Relay Technology sourced from US-based original equipment manufacturer Persistent Systems LLC. Delivery is scheduled for the first half of 2027, and Chief Executive John Macmichael stated the order underpins existing guidance for FY26/27 and FY27/28, giving the board increased confidence heading into 2027.

Key Points

  • Solid State plc (AIM: SOLI) is a Redditch-headquartered electronics group employing over 475 people across 13 sites globally.
  • Subsidiary Steatite Ltd has secured a US$26.2 million follow-on contract under Project CAIN for a UK Government end user.
  • Supplied systems include MPU5 and Wave Relay Technology from Persistent Systems LLC; delivery scheduled for H1 2027.
  • Investors will be watching whether further follow-on orders emerge under Project CAIN and how delivery progress tracks against FY27/28 guidance.

Steatite's US$26.2 Million Project CAIN Contract Covers Ruggedised Battlefield Communications Systems

Under the terms of the order, Steatite will supply a range of secure, ruggedised systems to a UK Government end user, with the specific technologies including the MPU5 platform and Wave Relay Technology, both developed by Persistent Systems LLC. These systems are designed to support advanced operational capabilities in demanding environments, consistent with Steatite's established focus on mission-critical defence technology. The announcement describes the contract as a follow-on order, indicating that Steatite held a prior relationship with this customer under the same programme, reinforcing its position as a trusted supplier to the UK Ministry of Defence.

CEO John Macmichael Confirms Project CAIN Order Underpins FY26/27 and FY27/28 Guidance

Chief Executive John Macmichael stated in the announcement that the order "further underpins our existing guidance for FY26/27 and FY27/28" and provides increased confidence as the Group looks toward 2027. Macmichael also described Steatite's role in "establishing, scaling and sustaining the digital battlefield" under Project CAIN, highlighting the strategic importance of the win beyond its immediate financial value. The company did not disclose specific revenue guidance figures in the announcement, but the CEO's comments suggest the contract materially supports the Group's near-term financial outlook across two financial years.

Solid State's Three-Division Structure Positions the Group Across UK Defence and Industrial Markets

Solid State operates through three divisions — Systems, Power, and Components — serving defence, aerospace, energy, medical, and industrial customers globally. Headquartered in Redditch and admitted to AIM in June 1996, the Group has grown through organic expansion and three acquisitions over the past five years. With seven UK production facilities, one US facility, and over 475 employees across 13 sites, Steatite's ability to coordinate complex supply chains involving OEM partners such as Persistent Systems reflects the broader Group's engineering capability and reinforces the value-added model that underpins Solid State's commercial strategy.