Category: Avionics

SkySelect Raises $9M to Modernize Aircraft Parts Procurement with AI

The platform helps airlines and MROs reduce costly aircraft-on-ground delays and excess inventory by using specialized AI to optimize sourcing across global aviation supply chains.

Estonian-founded SkySelect, an AI-powered procurement platform transforming how airlines and maintenance providers source aircraft parts, has secured $9 million in funding. 

Airlines face mounting pressure to modernize legacy procurement systems that leave them holding approximately $50 billion in excess parts inventory globally. 

When aircraft are grounded due to missing components, airlines scramble to procure parts through manual, fragmented processes that can take days or weeks. Aircraft-on-ground (AOG) incidents, where a plane is grounded waiting for parts, cost airlines around $30 billion each year. Airlines also carry more than $10 billion in excess inventory.

Advancements in procurement technology are enabling airlines and maintenance, repair, and overhaul organizations (MROs) to reduce the number of shipments by up to 30 per cent while keeping fewer parts in stock. This minimizes logistics costs and reduces carbon emissions, making operations more sustainable.

SkySelect pioneered the application of AI to aviation parts procurement before AI became ubiquitous in marketplace technology. Unlike generalized large language models, SkySelect’s platform employs specialized AI to match aircraft part requests with optimal suppliers across its network of thousands of vendors worldwide, providing real-time market visibility. This targeted approach enables just-in-time procurement, building operational resilience while reducing the need for costly safety stock.

The company also partners with major ERP solution providers to streamline the end-to-end part procurement process through seamless integrations. 

Since its launch, SkySelect has processed over $6 billion in transactions, with $1.3 billion completed in 2025 alone.

The company is currently landing approximately one new major client per month, with recent additions including JetBlue, Sun Country Airlines, Air Transport Services Group, Widerøe, and Vueling.

Verb Ventures and RockCreek co-led the round, with participation from SmartCap Green Fund, funded by the European Union NextGenerationEU, and existing investors Bain Capital Ventures and Lux Capital.

Erkki Brakmann, chief executive officer and co-founder of SkySelect, shared: “Legacy procurement systems and processes are fundamentally broken. Airlines invest over $40 billion annually in aircraft parts while simultaneously carrying $50 billion in excess inventory — a massive inefficiency that our AI-driven platform directly addresses. This growth funding validates both our early-mover advantage in applying AI to aviation procurement and the tangible value we’re delivering to customers.” 

Alexander Chikunov, founding partner at Verb Ventures, says: “SkySelect exemplifies the kind of B2B platform we back: a platform that brings transparency to opaque supply chains through data and automation. This new funding positions SkySelect to capture a larger share of the $40 billion aircraft materials market.”

Anahita Smeets, managing director at RockCreek, says: “RockCreek invests in AI and innovative companies that deliver both economic value and operational resilience. SkySelect addresses a critical bottleneck in aviation by using AI to match supply and demand for parts. With airlines facing billions in losses from aircraft-on-ground delays and excess inventory, we believe SkySelect’s platform offers a compelling solution at scale.”

The investment will be used to enhance its AI sourcing and procurement optimisation tools, helping airlines and MROs build a more reliable, predictable, and sustainable supply chain. SkySelect plans to hire across product development, data science, and customer success in its offices in the USA, India, and Estonia.

UEI Introduces Intel x6425RE Quad-Core Processor Across Programmable Automation Controller Platforms

United Electronic Industries (UEI) is excited to announce the integration of the Intel x6425RE quad-core processor into its family of programmable automation controllers (UEIPAC). This upgrade delivers enhanced performance, flexibility and reliability for aerospace, defense, transportation, and automated testing applications.

The x6425RE processor brings real-time computing power with support for Windows 11 IoT Enterprise and Rocky Linux 9.2. Its 64-bit quad-core architecture runs at 1.9 GHz with a low 20 W power draw. With 8 GB RAM, 32 GB eMMC storage, and an M.2 slot for 320 GB and more NVMe SSDs, it’s built for data-heavy workloads.

Adding this processor to the UEIPAC line expands customization options and boosts adaptability in demanding environments. Engineers can now run LabVIEW applications directly on the controller, eliminating external PCs and reducing latency. Real-time control and monitoring are possible within a familiar Windows embedded environment, improving mobility and efficiency.

Built for rugged conditions, the system operates from -40 to 85º C and is backed by UEI’s 10-year availability guarantee. Dual Gigabit Ethernet ports support IEEE-1588 and time-sensitive networking (TSN) standards for precise timing and low-latency communication.

Security features include TPM 2.0 for hardware-based data protection. Developers benefit from broad language support — C/C++, Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, Simulink — and compatibility with over 90 I/O and avionics boards for tailored solutions.

UEI’s latest platform empowers users to deploy high-performance applications directly on the controller, ideal for avionics testing and verification, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, ground vehicles, control, testing and verification and other mission-critical systems.

“Precision timing, deterministic performance, and secure control are essential in today’s embedded systems,” said Alex Ivchenko, director of engineering. “With the Intel x6425RE processor, our customers gain a future-proof platform built for modern automation.”

ASTRONAUTICS ENABLES MISSION-CRITICAL CONNECTIVITY FOR LIFE LINK III AW119 FLEET

Astronautics Corporation of America is providing its AeroSync Mission internet connectivity system and cellular data plan to Life Link III as an aftermarket solution for their AW119 helicopters. Life Link III delivers critical care air medical transport for patients requiring immediate access to advanced medical facilities across Minnesota and Wisconsin and across the Upper Midwest. 

Designed specifically for mission-critical operations, Astronautics’ AeroSync Mission enables in-air, air-to-ground, and on-ground Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity, transforming airborne connectivity from a limitation into a clinical and operational advantage. The system delivers a secure wireless hotspot designed to meet OEM-level standards for cybersecurity, quality, and reliability.

For air ambulance operators, AeroSync Mission supports faster decision making, improved coordination, and better preparedness upon arrival by enabling seamless data transfer between air medical crews and receiving trauma teams.  By providing uninterrupted access to clinical information during transport, the system helps ensure that hospitals are prepared before the aircraft touches down—when minutes matter most.

With always-on connectivity enabled by AeroSync Mission, Life Link III leverages Playback Health, a next-generation clinical scribe platform that offers ambient dictation designed to streamline the clinical documentation process.  AeroSync also opens the door to endless possibilities including patient data exchange, telehealth, and an added layer of communication in the event of communications failure. 

“For air ambulance operators, reliable connectivity isn’t a convenience — it’s a critical enabler of patient care,” said Matthew Frei, director of Connected Aircraft Solutions at Astronautics. “Installing AeroSync Mission on Life Link III’s AW119 fleet removes one of the biggest barriers to digital care in the air, delivering continuous, secure connectivity without adding complexity for flight crews or maintenance teams.  This installation also marks the expansion of our small, lightweight, all-in-one connectivity system from an OEM-only offering to a flexible aftermarket solution for operators seeking to modernize existing aircraft.”

Astronautics supports AeroSync Mission operators with a subscription-based cellular data plan, offering global connectivity through partnerships with internet service providers across numerous international markets. This approach provides operators with a streamlined and cost-effective way to maintain connectivity both in the air and on the ground, while simplifying IT management across the fleet.  AeroSync wireless devices have achieved regulatory certification for cellular and Wi-Fi operation in the United States and many countries worldwide.

Optional AeroSync Mission features include video streaming, video storage, aircraft data collection and export, and engine data diagnostic services. Astronautics specializes in customizing connectivity solutions to meet specific operator requirements, enabling scalable digital health and operational initiatives across air medical fleets.

Kontron Expands Its Defense Rugged Systems Portfolio with the HARAKAN-F2-2


 Kontron, provider of IoT/Embedded Computer Technology (ECT), announces the availability of the Kontron HARAKAN-F2-2 mission computer. Integrating the latest generation of Intel Xeon-D processors, Kontron’s new defense platform delivers VPX server-class performance, reliability and scalability for the most demanding defense use cases. These include AI, sensor fusion, cyber secure Tactical Gateways and real time analytics. The HARAKAN will be on display at Embedded World 2026, held from March 10–12 in Nuremberg, Germany.
 
Designed and manufactured in Europe, with full control over design, production and long-term support at a single site, HARAKAN-F2-2 benefits from a controlled and transparent supply chain, strong configuration management and long-term program continuity. The system is ITAR- and BAFA-free, enabling broader deployment flexibility across international defense programs.

Built on a modular architecture integrating VPX building blocks aligned to the SOSA® technical standard, HARAKAN-F2-2 allows systems integrators to develop VPX-based defense applications faster with reduced risks.

Sébastien Vitre, Kontron product manager, Rugged Systems, said: “With the latest HARAKAN variant, defense integrators can run multiple mission-critical applications at the edge –securely and reliably – even in the harshest environments. The platform combines high-performance compute with configuration flexibility, allowing customers to address evolving mission requirements – from tactical edge processing to complex, virtualized sensor fusion environments – while maintaining upgrade paths across the program lifecycle. With additional configurations under development, including GPU variants, the HARAKAN family is expanding into a complete portfolio for edge AI, multi-sensor fusion and accelerated analytics.”

The SWaP-optimized VPX form factor includes two 3U VPX slots, providing the flexibility to adapt processing, networking and I/O capabilities to evolving mission needs. Integrated cybersecurity features –including hardware root of trust, secure boot and system monitoring tools –help ensure mission integrity from power-on through operational deployment.

The Kontron HARAKAN-F2-2 is available now and offers a minimum product lifecycle of 10 years. Services are available to notify customers of significant changes to monitored frozen configurations and to ensure production beyond the product end‑of‑life date. Warranty extensions of up to five years are also available.

Audit Initiated of FAA’s Oversight of Repair Station Certification Procedures

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024 mandated that the Office of the Inspector General’s office conduct a series of audits to assess how consistently FAA interprets and applies policy regarding supplemental type certificates, repair stations and technical standards orders. The OIG is initiating the third audit in the series and will focus on FAA’s consistency in certificating domestic repair stations.

All repair stations performing work on U.S.-registered aircraft must be certificated by FAA under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 145. To issue an air agency certificate, FAA inspectors carry out a five-phase process to thoroughly review, evaluate,and test the repair station’s programs, systems and intended methods of compliance. FAA authorizes six general ratings and subclasses that specify what work a repair station can do.

While FAA’s repair station certification procedures are standardized, individual FAA offices may interpret standards, which include orders, guidance and regulations, differently when evaluating system design, approving ratings, or assessing compliance. Accordingly, their objective will be to evaluate whether FAA has sufficient controls in place to provide reasonable assurance that inspectors are consistent in interpreting and applying standards when certificating domestic repair stations.

What Makes Nondestructive Testing Essential in the Aerospace Industry?

Nondestructive testing has become crucial for verifying the functionality and safety of many high-value items, for which methods that damage the items under test or render them unusable are too costly and generally infeasible. The aerospace industry is a good example because of its tight regulations. Nondestructive examination methods allow manufacturers and other relevant parties to meet stringent requirements while retaining items’ usability.

What Is Nondestructive Testing, and Why Is It Important in Aerospace?

Nondestructive testing refers to a range of processes that enable manufacturers to evaluate the structural integrity and performance of a product without damaging it. Besides the cost-saving benefits they offer, these options deliver high accuracy, making them widely used and preferred in the aerospace industry. Malfunctioning products risk lives, requiring engineers, testing team members and others to develop robust strategies that will verify whether a product can withstand the rigors of demanding environments and applications.

Aerospace manufacturers using these methods also enjoy supply chain advantages because they do not need to produce items merely to destroy them during testing. Instead, those that pass inspection eventually reach customers.

Nondestructive testing also offers excellent versatility, allowing practitioners to apply different methods depending on the aerospace components they want to examine. Relatedly, because these techniques do not damage the tested products, staff can run them several times to verify consistency within the results. That capability builds trustworthiness, which is especially useful in the aerospace industry due to its frequently mission-critical requirements.

How Does Nondestructive Testing Work?

Visual inspection is the simplest form of nondestructive testing. It is possible with either natural sight or optical instruments, depending on the products’ requirements and the perceived challenges of spotting abnormalities. Other options include ultrasonic testing, which uses high-frequency sound waves to find flaws above and below an item’s surface.

Eddy current testing relies on electromagnetic induction to detect issues in conductive materials, while radiographic testing encompasses the use of X-rays or gamma rays to create images that show components’ internal structures. This allows people to check parts such as mechanical assemblies for hidden defects.

Some providers — including FUJIFILM Corporation — also offer possibilities such as computed radiology and digital detector arrays. These both produce clear images that testing teams view with specialty software. These imaging-based approaches help companies reduce material waste while achieving the high accuracy the aerospace industry demands.

The processes for performing nondestructive tests depend on the chosen method. Workers should begin by deciding what they want to verify to narrow the assortment of appropriate tests.

Similarly, decision-makers should consider relevant particulars, including their available budgets and the number of items to examine. Because some methods require specialized training, those managing the testing process should also determine whether they need to invest in training or hire new personnel to meet goals.

What Advantages Does Nondestructive Testing Offer the Aerospace Industry?

Innovation defines the aerospace industry, and representatives from its most successful brands understand the importance of continually pushing the boundaries to meet emerging demands. Nondestructive testing also evolves to meet changing requirements and reflect technological progress.

For example, neutron imaging is a specialized method that allows penetrating high-density materials with a neutron source. Although this option traditionally required using nuclear reactors for imaging, some companies have developed alternative technologies that make them less necessary.

Nondestructive testing is also a respected and reputable method, appealing to people who want to embrace reliable methods that will give them strong returns on investment. Positive outcomes become even likelier when individuals from aerospace enterprises partner with brands that specialize in nondestructive testing and services.

Parties that rely on nondestructive testing have explored viable ways to automate parts of the process. These efforts keep accuracy levels high while increasing the overall volumes a business can test in a given time frame. Some recent experiments involved using automated ultrasonic testing on aerospace engine fan blades, which required scanning up to three layers of material, each with varying thicknesses.

Nondestructive testing has also become widely used in aircraft maintenance. That is primarily because experts can perform many techniques while keeping the tested items in service, which reduces overall downtime. Whether the examined product relates to a rocket launch or commercial flight, efficiency is crucial for keeping everything on schedule.

Considerations Before Using Nondestructive Testing for Aerospace Parts

Some nondestructive testing methods require equipment or supplies. Those interested in performing them should strongly consider partnering with experienced brands that can become a one-stop source for the items necessary for beginning or strengthening a quality-control program.

Fujifilm representatives have the knowledge and products to help clients establish internal nondestructive testing initiatives. They can also deliver formal training, ensuring the workforce possesses the skills and capabilities to capitalize on the selected approaches.

A January 2026 market research report about nondestructive testing indicated that the aerospace industry would show the highest compound annual growth rate, achieving an estimated 11.6% from 2025 to 2030. Leaders interested in exploring how to align these techniques with their testing goals should set several key performance indicators and relevant goals before implementing them into existing processes. Metrics will help them determine what is going well and what they should change to optimize results.

The overseeing parties must remember that implementing new processes takes time. They can improve outcomes by seeking advice from representatives with verifiable expertise in the nondestructive testing industry, such as team members from Fujifilm. Those experts can account for the factors specific to an aerospace company’s requirements and recommend the best ways forward.

Succeeding With Nondestructive Testing in the Aerospace Industry

Although non-destructive testing is not a universally applicable option for every aerospace industry situation, it offers numerous advantages that make it well worth considering. Leaders can anticipate the best results if they develop thorough plans and consult with experienced brands to customize their processes.

Maintaining Excellence: Who’s Leading Military Aviation Safety Equipment Maintenance?

Aviation safety equipment maintenance is the backbone of pilot safety and overall mission success. There is no room for errors in military aviation, since the entire team relies on the aircraft for missions. Ejection seats, life support systems, seatbelts and other types of equipment are essential to the pilot’s safety and success, so finding the best maintenance service provider is crucial.

The Importance of Military Aviation Safety Equipment Maintenance

The pressure on military aviation safety equipment maintenance has increased in recent years. With the rise of new technology, technicians are experiencing significant shortages and skill gaps. New technology also clashes with legacy systems, hindering the integration of both machines. External factors also disrupt the supply chain. Maintenance is even more crucial as teams try to remain up to date with new technology and adapt to the current military aviation environment.

How to Maintain Aviation Safety Equipment

Maintaining aviation safety equipment is essential as pilot safety and mission success remain at the forefront. Proactive maintenance is the key factor because it goes beyond following the necessary procedures. Managing risks and optimizing availability improve overall safety, helping limit accidents during missions by addressing potential problems.

A specific way to improve proactive maintenance is by collecting more nuanced metrics. Conducting studies of operational availability and risk assessment frameworks involves more complex data that alerts technicians to areas of improvement right away. Beyond that, performing scheduled, routine and overhaul checks greatly improves safety equipment as well. Airline maintenance directors want to avoid unscheduled fixes caused by errors, so regular checks are necessary.

While maintaining aviation safety equipment, it is essential to comply with regulations. Proactive maintenance should involve checking the FAA’s guidelines if the director operates in the United States. There are aviation regulations for other countries, too. Rules are there for the pilot and team’s safety, as well as to ensure the mission’s success. A maintenance provider can help ensure compliance.

Who Are the Top Maintenance Providers for Military Aviation Safety Equipment?

To perform maintenance accurately and safely, it is a good idea to hire a maintenance provider. The provider must demonstrate robust, specialized knowledge of military aviation safety equipment to enhance efficiency. Below are the top maintenance providers for military aviation safety equipment.

1.    HRD Aero Systems

HRD Aero Systems is the top maintenance provider for military aviation safety equipment. It offers 24-hour Aircraft on Ground (AOG) service that is rapid and reliable. The partner adheres to FAA, EASA and DOT standards. Its services include overhaul and repair of fire extinguishers, oxygen system servicing and PMA parts.

2.    Collins Aerospace

Collins Aerospace provides global services of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) quality. Its services include conducting repairs, providing repair parts and testing equipment calibrations. The provider offers support numbers for its various services on the website.

3.    Gables Engineering

Gables Engineering performs repairs from several offices and headquarters. It provides AOG support 24 hours a day and features global warehouses. The provider also offers a fixed-repair contract option to enhance turnaround time.

4.    SCHROTH

SCHROTH manufactures safety products for the aviation industry, including several different seatbelts. Its products meet many safety standards, and its technicians continually stay up to date with the latest technology. For making replacements during a repair, SCHROTH is a great option.

5.    Martin-Baker

Martin-Baker offers maintenance, repair and overhaul services. It has a customer-first approach, featuring customer training for aviation equipment. The partner has several global facilities and service centers to reach a broad customer base. Some of its products include ejection technology, safe seats and crashworthy items.

6.    Safe Flight Instrument

Safe Flight Instrument makes safety products for aviation machinery. It performs in-house repairs for customers, using its original parts, procedures and drawings to provide the best solution. When the partner completes repairs, it ensures the final product aligns with the current regulatory requirements and the latest technology.

7.    AmSafe

AmSafe delivers repair and overhaul services to its clients. The technicians are highly trained and experienced in dealing with aviation safety equipment. Its products include restraints and seat belts. The partner utilizes the latest technology to ensure reliable repairs.

Selection Methodology

The partners were selected according to careful research of their website, services and specific contributions to aviation safety equipment maintenance. The ranking is based on a comparison between their key features, including each provider’s services, standards and support systems.

Comparing Top Maintenance Providers

To help maintenance directors and decision-makers quickly compare providers, the following table summarizes key features.

ProviderServicesStandardsSupport
HRD Aero SystemsOverhaul and repair of fire extinguisher, oxygen system serving and PMA partsFAA, EASA and DOT standards24-hour AOG service
Collins AerospaceRepairs, repair parts and test equipment calibrationOEM qualitySupport numbers for different services
Gables EngineeringRepairs and fixed repair contractsSimple and fastAOG support 24 hours a day
SCHROTHSafety productsMany safety standardsDeveloping constantly to improve
Martin-BakerMaintenance, repair and overhaulCrashworthy itemsCustomer-first approach with training
Safe Flight InstrumentSafety products and in-house repairsCurrent regulationsMany numbers and emails to contact the repair station
AmSafeRepair and overhaulHigh-qualityExperienced technicians

Safety Maintenance in the Future

Looking ahead, the future of safety maintenance may rely more on technology than it already does. Artificial intelligence and predictive analytics will work together to transform maintenance scheduling and diagnostics, catching issues before human counterparts do. Pilots may also start wearing suits that monitor their health and performance. Smart technology, like these inventions, represents the future of safety maintenance.

Safety Is the Top Priority

Military aviation safety equipment maintenance is crucial to mission success and pilot safety. Airline maintenance directors, military equipment procurers and any other authorized personnel should be meticulous about which provider they choose to partner with for repairs and other services. Safety should always be the top priority, especially in aviation.

VSE Corporation to Acquire Precision Aviation Group

VSE Corporation, a leading provider of aviation aftermarket distribution and repair services, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Precision Aviation Group, Inc. (PAG), a portfolio company of GenNx360 Capital Partners (GenNx), for total upfront consideration of approximately $2.025 billion in cash and equity.

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, PAG is a best-in-class global provider of aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, distribution, and supply chain solutions serving commercial, business and general aviation (B&GA), rotorcraft, and defense end markets. PAG operates 29 locations worldwide, employs more than 1,000 people, serves over 10,000 customers globally, and completes more than 175,000 repairs annually. PAG expects to generate approximately $615 million of adjusted revenue1 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.

The acquisition is expected to significantly expand VSE’s scale and enhance its engine and component service capabilities across the aviation aftermarket, while maintaining a focused strategy centered on high-value, high-margin, mission-critical, and differentiated services. Together, VSE and PAG will create a more diversified, globally scaled aviation aftermarket platform with broader technical capabilities and an expanded portfolio of proprietary repair and solutions content designed to strengthen customer support, extend asset life, and reduce total cost of ownership.

“This acquisition represents a pivotal moment for VSE and a major milestone in our strategy to build a scaled, differentiated, higher-margin aviation aftermarket platform,” said John Cuomo, president and CEO of VSE Corporation. “We have long admired PAG and view it as an exceptional strategic fit within the VSE portfolio. PAG adds a differentiated parts and services model, new and highly complementary capabilities, a best-in-class sales organization, a scaled MRO footprint, deep technical expertise, and strong customer and supplier relationships across growing commercial, B&GA, rotorcraft, and defense end markets.

“This transformational transaction is expected to significantly expand our scale, increase our proprietary solutions content, and further strengthen our position as a mission-critical partner to aviation operators worldwide. Together, we expect to deliver meaningful value for our customers, suppliers, employees, and shareholders through enhanced growth, greater diversification, and near-term margin expansion,” concluded Cuomo.

“We have built a reputation for customer responsiveness, expansive technical capabilities and dependable support for operators worldwide. Joining VSE represents an important next chapter for PAG,” said David Mast, CEO of Precision Aviation Group. “VSE shares our commitment to technical excellence, operational discipline, and world-class customer service. We are excited to combine our platforms to broaden capabilities, strengthen global reach, and accelerate long-term growth for the benefit of our customers, employees, and partners.”

“We are incredibly proud of the exceptional platform we have built at PAG and believe VSE is the ideal strategic partner to accelerate its next stage of growth,” said Pratik Rajeevan, principal at GenNx360 Capital Partners. “Our significant equity rollover reflects our conviction in PAG’s momentum and in VSE’s ability to scale the platform, enhance capabilities, and deliver even greater value for customers,” added Ron Blaylock, Founder and Managing Partner of GenNx360 Capital Partners.

Curtiss-Wright and Green Hills Software Introduce High-Performance COTS Solution for Safety-Critical Avionics Systems

Curtiss-Wright and Green Hills Software announced the availability of a new high-performance commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solution that brings safety-certifiable computing to a broader range of aerospace applications. The integrated platform combines Curtiss-Wright’s SOSA aligned V3-1222 3U VPX processing module with Green Hills Software’s FACE certified INTEGRITY-178 tuMP real-time operating system (RTOS). The combined solution delivers an efficient and proven path to deploy open standards-based advanced multicore systems in environments that demand the highest levels of functional safety assurance, including airworthiness certification.

“This solution delivers a modular and safety-certifiable computing foundation that reduces integration risk and helps customers bring critical capabilities to market faster,” said Lee Brown, general manager of C5ISR, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions. “As technology cycles accelerate, it’s essential that we support our customers with proven tools to meet safety requirements while keeping pace with mission needs. This collaboration helps accomplish both.”

The Curtiss-Wright V3-1222 features the 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, which combines six performance-cores and eight efficient-cores, along with integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics—all in a single-slot 3U VPX footprint. Green Hills Software’s INTEGRITY-178 tuMP RTOS supports both bound multi-processing (BMP) and symmetric multi-processing (SMP), allowing developers to assign specific workloads to optimal core types to maximize throughput and determinism. In addition to running multiple workloads in parallel, INTEGRITY-178 tuMP uniquely enables a multi-threaded, safety-critical workload to execute across multiple cores. Together, these technologies support system developers targeting the highest Design Assurance Level (DAL A) certification objectives, including compliance with A(M)C 20-193/DO-178C and A(M)C 20-152A/DO-254 guidance.

“The combination of the INTEGRITY-178 tuMP RTOS running on the V3-1222 presents unique opportunities to take advantage of the hybrid architecture of the 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor,” said Renu Navale, VP and general manager, Critical Infrastructure, Federal & Aerospace Division, Intel Corporation. “Avionics systems can benefit from optimizing power efficiency and determinism by assigning tasks that are high-priority but lower in processing requirements to the more efficient E-cores.”

This solution is engineered to meet the demanding needs of programs requiring certifiable multicore computing, including:

  • Defense applications: tactical radar systems, flight control computers, and sensor fusion
  • Commercial aviation: digital cockpit systems, primary and multifunction displays, enhanced flight vision systems
  • Industrial and air mobility: autonomous flight control, safety-critical robotics, and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) platforms

Curtiss-Wright and Green Hills Software have a long history of collaboration on Intel processor-based safety-certifiable platforms. The new V3-1222 solution builds on prior joint efforts, adding significantly more processing power and graphics capability while maintaining support for rigorous safety and airworthiness requirements. The V3-1222 also includes unique board-level features such as a CardFail signal tied to onboard Built-In Test capabilities, and support for high-bandwidth PCIe Gen 3 lanes, enabling advanced data throughput in system architectures. The V3-1222 processing module includes trusted computing features to protect against physical and remote attacks. The INTEGRITY-178 tuMP RTOS provides a Multiple Independent Levels of Security (MILS) operating environment capable of hosting Multi-Level Security (MLS) applications and has been used to meet National Security Agency’s “Raise the Bar” security standard for cross domain solutions (CDS).

LAUNCH Announces Acquisition of JMC Aviation; Jeff Martin to Lead Combined Organization as CEO

LAUNCH Technical Workforce Solutions, a leading provider of technical workforce solutions and services to the aviation industry, today announced the acquisition of JMC Aviation, a global engineering solutions and aviation recruitment specialist headquartered in Exeter, United Kingdom. JMC Aviation provides a wide range of technical solutions across the UK, European Union and Canada, among other geographies.

The acquisition brings together two highly complementary organizations and creates the largest specialized provider of technical aviation solutions, globally. By combining LAUNCH’s U.S. market leadership with JMC’s established international presence, the acquisition establishes a global leader of workforce solutions and technical services to manufacturing and MRO/aftermarket customers within the commercial aerospace, business & general aviation, defense and rotary end markets. In combination, LAUNCH will now be able to offer a broader range of capabilities, including an expanded suite of modifications and a mobile repair team, furthering its commitment to creating a global technical services offering. The transaction also expands LAUNCH’s pool of technical talent, deepening its ability to deliver comprehensive workforce solutions on a global scale.

LAUNCH is a portfolio company of Capitol Meridian Partners, a private equity firm with deep expertise in the aviation sector. Equity financing in support of the transaction was provided by Capitol Meridian Fund I, L.P. and its affiliates, with participation from members of both management teams. Debt financing for the transaction was provided by LAUNCH’s existing lenders, MidCap Financial and Marathon Asset Management. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

In connection with this transaction, LAUNCH’s Executive Chairman, Jeff Martin, will add the title of CEO of both organizations. Jeff brings more than 33 years of aviation experience, along with extensive senior executive and board leadership. His depth of expertise uniquely positions him to guide LAUNCH through the Company’s next chapter of innovation, growth, and expansion while continuing to shape its strategic vision.

“This acquisition represents a significant milestone in LAUNCH’s evolution,” said Jeff Martin, executive chairman and CEO. “JMC Aviation is a respected global organization with a strong reputation for technical excellence and customer partnership. Together, we are building a platform that allows us to support our customers wherever they operate, while staying true to our shared commitment to quality, safety, and long-term relationships.”

Hollie Prendergast, managing director of JMC Aviation, added, “Partnering with LAUNCH is a natural next step for JMC. From the very beginning, it was clear that our companies share the same values and customer-first mindset. This acquisition strengthens our ability to support clients globally,while preserving the culture, leadership, and service standards our customers rely on every day.”