Category: Avionics

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.”

Magnetic Engines Marks 10 Years of Service

When Magnetic Engines opened its doors on October 5, 2015, the workshop measured just 100 square meters. There was no ribbon-cutting, only benches and tools. Ten years later, that conviction has driven the business to a 1,300-sqm facility, more than 319 client engagement events, and 67 customers served by early 2025, with the same philosophy still at its core.

“We didn’t chase scale, we chased standards,“ said Risto Mäeots, CEO of Magnetic Group. “From the very beginning, Magnetic Engines built its reputation on precision and predictability. Growth was the consequence, not the goal.“

The team’s first client inspections took place just days after launch, two CFM56-7B engines in Ponta Delgada, Portugal.Through 2016, the shop focused on its own engines, refining procedures before opening to external clients in 2017.

By 2020, heavier repairs and combustion chamber replacements were routine; by 2023, the first Core Performance Restoration (CFM56-3) validated the team’s control over the most complex modules. “Every milestone came from the same loop — learn, validate, scale,“ explained Filip Stanisic, managing director of Magnetic Engines. “Our first heavy repair in 2020 proved we could deliver under pressure. Later, DAC to SAC conversion work in 2024 showed we weren’t just adding volume — we were adding depth.“

Joe “Ski“ Suszczynski Earns the FAA’s Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award

StandardAero recognized Joe “Ski“ Suszczynski, training manager at its Dallas-Fort Worth Service Center, as a recipient of the FAA Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award. His journey began at age 14 at Aviation High School in Queens, New York, a public, FAA-accredited program. “It’s in your DNA,“ Suszczynski shared. “Aviation has been in my DNA since I was 14. If you don’t love it, it’s work.“

After four and a half years of classroom training and hands-on shop time — including maintaining the school’s own aircraft — he graduated with both his diploma and his FAA certification at just 17 years old. He returned for six additional months of extended training to obtain his Powerplant certificate.

Suszczynski went on to serve 21 years in the United States Air Force as a jet engine technician. He later transitioned to civil aviation roles at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, eventually joining Raytheon as a site supervisor where he was responsible for hiring and developing a team of more than 50 technicians. During his Air Force career, he also taught Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) students as an adjunct instructor with Embry-Riddle in Germany.

Suszczynski joined StandardAero in 1999, continuing in a similar role, bringing his leadership, technical knowledge and growth mindset.

In 2022, Suszczynski transferred to StandardAero’s DFW facility to lead training initiatives, a natural fit given his long history of developing emerging aviation talent. “What really excites me is when I’m training somebody,“ he said. “Whether it’s one, five, or ten years later, you see them grow and expand — and then they come back to tell you how much it meant to learn to do things the correct way.“

Suszczynski said his leadership philosophy centers on integrity, clarity, and accountability. His personal motto — “Do what’s right when nobody is looking“ — guides how he works, teaches and leads. As he puts it, “Do my actions mimic what I say? Do I walk the walk?“ Whether he is delivering technical instruction, reinforcing safety practices, or picking up FOD on the shop floor, Suszczynski led by example.

“Aviation has helped me get to where I am today,“ he shared. “It’s given me financial security, and it’s also taken sweat and tears. But the greatest reward is passing the baton on to others and watching them grow.“

RTX’s Collins Aerospace and the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force Establish New Military Avionics Service Center

Collins Aerospace, and the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force (RNLASF) have signed a contract to build a new military avionics service center in the Netherlands to support European F-35 and CH-47F fleets.

Under the multi-decade government-owned, contractor-operated partnership, Collins will bring repair expertise and depot technology for the F-35 and the CH-47F. They will also manage the repair supply chain as part of its global military services network.

“Bringing our avionics repair capabilities to the RNLASF Air Support Command (ASC) military base will create substantial operational, logistical and sustainment improvement for our European customers,“ said Brian Barta, vice president and general manager for avionics aftermarket services and support in Avionics at Collins Aerospace. “This new center will complement Pratt & Whitney’s already established F135 engine depot at the ASC, further expanding RTX’s presence in the Netherlands.“

The new center will also complement Collins’ F-35 pilot readiness center in Soesterberg, the Netherlands, establishing a full regional lifecycle sustainment solution for customers in Europe. Additionally, the repair capability will support Collins’ performance based contract with RNLASF to ensure the readiness of the Dutch CH 47F fleet.

“In an increasingly contested logistics environment, ‘Fight tonight, Fight tomorrow, Fight together,’ means positioning the RNLASF for the highest possible mission readiness,“ said Lieutenant General André ‘Jabba’ Steur of the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force. “As we transition to modernized and increasingly complex weapon systems, we will require preparing for the necessary support, infrastructure and maintenance at our military depot facilities. Collaborating with trusted OEMs like Collins Aerospace has proven to be very valuable to our overall mission readiness.“

“Together with Collins Aerospace we will be increasing skills and advancing technical knowhow, in the Netherlands,“ said Secretary of Defense Gijs Tuinman. “This partnership is an example of a strategic collaboration that supports our defense and technological base as we continue to contribute to NATO and its partners.“

Initial depot capability for Collins Aerospace’s avionics military service center is expected in 2026.

EASA Certifies ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia for Falcon 7X/8X Heavy Maintenance

EASA Certifies ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia for Falcon 7X/8X Heavy Maintenance

ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, has further expanded its maintenance capabilities with the additional regulatory approvals from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and U.S. FAA.

EASA has approved the Subang Airport facility to perform line and base maintenance on the Falcon 7X/8X aircraft. The agency has also authorized the organization to conduct a range of non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques, including ultrasonic, eddy current, magnetic particle and penetrant testing.

In addition, the U.S. FAA has granted approval for two further NDT methods: ultrasonic and penetrant inspections.

“The Falcon 7X/8X base maintenance approval is significant as there is growing demand from European-registered aircraft operating in or transiting through Asia. EASA certification, widely recognized by civil aviation authorities worldwide, demonstrates we meet the regulator’s rigorous standards,“ says Ivan Lim, regional VP Asia, ExecuJet MRO Services.

“The expanded NDT capability is equally important, as it supports heavy base maintenance checks, helping us to identify structural issues efficiently and reduce disruptive unscheduled downtime,“ he adds.

Rolls-Royce Celebrates the Official Opening of BAESL, its MRO Joint Venture in Beijing, China

Rolls-Royce Celebrates the Official Opening of BAESL, its MRO Joint Venture in Beijing, China

Rolls-Royce celebrated the official opening of Beijing Aero Engine Services Limited (BAESL), its new joint-venture maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility with Air China in early December. The facility complements Rolls-Royce’s existing MRO footprint and addresses growing long-term demand for new civil large engines.

Located in Beijing, BAESL is the first dedicated Trent engine overhaul facility in the Chinese mainland and a significant addition to Rolls-Royce’s global MRO network. The opening of the new facility marks an important step Rolls-Royce is taking in expanding its worldwide widebody engine maintenance capacity and providing more localized support to its customers in China and beyond.

At the opening ceremony, the Civil Aviation Administration of China granted BAESL its maintenance organization certificate (MOC), confirming the facility’s readiness to deliver professional, reliable and high-quality overhaul services on Trent engines. The reveal of the first customer engine entering the shop — witnessed by representatives from Rolls-Royce, along with representatives from the Beijing Municipal Government, the British Embassy, Air China, industry partners, suppliers and customers — marked a brand-new chapter of this state-of-the-art facility.

“The opening of BAESL not only supports our long-term growth in the Chinese market but also contributes to our ambition to significantly increase our global MRO capacity by 2030,“ said Paul Keenan, director – commercial aviation aftermarket operations, Rolls-Royce. “China is one of the largest and fastest growing widebody markets in the world and is also key to Rolls-Royce. We power more than 500 of China’s in-service commercial aircraft; nearly 20% of our global Trent engines were delivered to China. Increasing flying hours, new orders and existing fleet upgrades all lead to growing demand for shop visits, both in China and around the world. Therefore, we’re making bold investments in our global Trent aftermarket network, including BAESL, to remain resilient and keep our customers flying.“

Air China, as China’s sole national flag carrier, is a long-term strategic customer for Rolls-Royce. By establishing BAESL jointly, the two companies have deepened their cooperation. In the meantime, it further enhances Air China’s strategic layout in the aircraft maintenance industry chain, improving its overall fleet operational support capabilities.

As one of four authorized joint-venture overhaul facilities within the Rolls-Royce global services network, BAESL will be an integral part of its worldwide Trent MRO ecosystem, which also consists of two Rolls-Royce maintenance facilities, seven joint-venture or independent authorized maintenance centers, and customer-owned shops.

Starting from 2026, BAESL will begin introducing overhaul capability for Trent 700, Trent XWB-84 and Trent 1000 engines, with capacity expected to ramp up to 250 overhauls per year by 2034.

Airbus Completes Acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems Sites

Airbus recently closed a transaction with Spirit AeroSystems for the acquisition of industrial assets dedicated to its commercial aircraft programs.

“This milestone marks a special moment for all of us at Airbus. We are proud to welcome over 4,000 new colleagues, with whom we will embark on a new chapter in our industrial operations by taking on activities of critical importance to our commercial aircraft programs,“ said Florent Massou, executive vice president operations for the commercial aircraft business of Airbus.

Airbus has taken ownership of the following former Spirit AeroSystems assets:

  • the site of Kinston, North Carolina, U.S. (A350 fuselage sections), joining as Airbus Aerosystems Kinston.
  • the site of Saint-Nazaire, France (A350 fuselage sections), joining as Airbus Atlantic Cadréan.
  • the site of Casablanca, Morocco (A321 and A220 components), joining as Airbus Atlantic Maroc Aero.
  • the production of A220 wings and A220 mid-fuselage in Belfast, Northern Ireland, becoming Airbus Belfast.
  • the production of wing components for A320 and A350 in Prestwick, Scotland, becoming an affiliate named Prestwick Aerosystems.
  • the production of A220 pylons, which will be transferred out of Wichita, Kansas, U.S., to the site of Saint-Eloi, Toulouse, France.

Airbus receives compensation of $439 million, with the typical purchase price adjustments and subject to customary post-closing review. In addition, Airbus receives certain amounts to settle liabilities under the provision of the purchase agreements.