SPARTA Inc. AESO, A Parsons Company, (For a short time known asCobham Analytic Solutions) is a United Statesdefense contractor based inLake Forest, California. It was started in 1979 and has more than 20 offices around the United States. The acronym, SPARTA, stood for "Systems Planning Analysis Research and Technology Associates."
Prior to its acquisition byCobham plc, SPARTA was unusual for a U.S. defense contractor in that it was publicly held but privately traded; it was more than 98% owned by its 1,300 employees. Employees were grantedstock options based on various criteria, including corporate profit and individual contribution to bringing in new business. Employees could sell stock back to the company when their options vested, at a price determined by a formula for valuing the company.
Prior to the acquisition, some benefits and company procedures were decided upon by a council of employees which met annually. Slightly fewer than one third of the representatives to the council were elected by the employees.
In June 2008, SPARTA was acquired byCobham plc for US$407 million.[1] It was renamed Cobham Analytic Solutions while under Cobham management.
In 2011, SPARTA, with the exception of the composites manufacturing portion of the company, was sold byCobham plc toParsons Corporation for US$350 million.[2]
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