Category: PRs

TE Connectivity has launched their MC801 fiber optical connectors. The company says the product supports numerous high-speed protocols, offering low insertion loss across multiple connector breaks, through the use of physical contact optical technology.

The increasing demand for secure high-speed data and signal transfer communication within the Aerospace and Defense industries, is expected to be the key growth factor for the fiber optics market.

“This is an exciting new industry qualification for TE,” said Noel Thornton, TE product manager. “The MC801 product range further expands the already impressive fiber optic portfolio available from TE including, expanded beam technologies and the renowned DEUTSCH physical contact connector ranges.”

Fiber optics are increasingly being used as a replacement for copper systems, owing to its security, efficiency, light weight and high transmission capacity. Fiber optic cables and connectors provide an effective transmission medium, as they are less affected by external and internal interference. The data transfer can be achieved by using single and multi-mode fiber cables, depending on the system requirements and link length.

ARINC 801 is an industry standard optical connector and terminus specification that has become the preferred solution for physical contact optics across multiple applications. Target markets of the TE MC801 product include commercial aerospace, military aerospace, ground vehicles and soldier systems, and C5ISR: Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat Systems, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance. Product applications include, in-flight entertainment, radar, naval upgrades, communications, munitions, unmanned aerial vehicles, inflight networks and Ethernet switches. The connector is a multi-sourced product that is protocol independent, secure, and utilizes standard MIL-DTL-38999 shells.

The MC801 is available in a wide variety of materials including aluminum, composite, stainless steel and marine bronze. The shells are made of a corrosion-resistant finish in a RoHS-compatible material; shell plating is available in black zinc or nickel.

Rockwell Collins has named Geater Machining and Manufacturing, of Independence, Iowa, as the President’s Award winner for 2016. The top honor was presented at the Rockwell Collins Annual Supplier Conference on March 1.

“Geater Machining has been a long-term, trusted supplier to Rockwell Collins and this award is the culmination of the hard work and dedication of its employees,” said Wayne Flory, vice president of Material & Supply, for Rockwell Collins.

Veteran-owned Geater Machining and Manufacturing, Co. has been servicing the aerospace, electronic and high-tech industries since 1962. The company’s high quality parts and outstanding on-time delivery have developed its reputation into one that is synonymous with trust, and setting high standards for precision machined and fabricated parts.

Rockwell Collins says their President’s Award is presented to the company’s top supplier at their annual event as an acknowledgement of its supplier’s outstanding performance and contributions over the past year in the areas of quality, delivery, total cost of ownership, lead time and customer service.

In addition to the President’s Award, Rockwell Collins also recognizes supplier excellence in the areas of heritage, relationships and innovation, which align with Rockwell Collins’ three brand pillars. These pillars are the foundation of the company’s brand promise, Building Trust Every Day. Recipients of this year’s Brand Pillar Awards include:

• Geater Machining and Manufacturing, also received the Innovation Brand Pillar Award for its efforts to continually move the aerospace and defense industry forward today. This award is presented to a supplier that supports and/or provides progressive solutions with rock-solid reliability that our customers expect from Rockwell Collins.
• Aero Simulation, Inc., of Tampa, Florida, was honored with the Relationships Brand Pillar Award for its commitment to working together to advance smart solutions for our rapidly changing world.
• The Heritage Brand Pillar Award was presented to Avnet, Inc., of Phoenix, Arizona, in recognition of its spirit of proven trust and reliability, paired with a track record of setting the standard for its peers and the industry.

Supplier of the Year Category Awards were presented to:

• Electrical Build to Print

Shennan Circuits Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Province, China

• Electronic Components

ON Semiconductor, Pocatello, Idaho

• Mechanical Build to Print

Geater Machining & Manufacturing, Independence, Iowa

• Human Machine Interface and Sensor

Quantum Coating, Inc., Moorestown, New Jersey

• Assemblies

Timberline Manufacturing, Marion, Iowa

• Development and Engineering Services

Aero Simulation, Inc., Tampa, Florida

• Manufacturing and Product Support

Tevet, LLC., Greeneville, Tennessee

• Facilities Support Services

TEK Products, Long Lake, Minnesota

• Value-Add Supplier

Tesat Spacecom, Backnang, Germany

• Corporate/Employee Services

Allegis Global Solutions, Chicago, Illinois

Teledyne Controls and aerospace software provider PACE have signed a new partnership deal that will enable airlines and individual flight crews to actively improve their flying efficiency and fuel consumption, and pilots to receive live weather updates direct to an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) while in flight. Interfaced with the Teledyne GroundLink Comm+ system and its new integrated Aircraft Interface Device (AID) function AID+, PACE’s Pacelab Flight Profile Optimizer software can draw live data from the aircraft’s avionics buses to determine the most cost-efficient flight trajectory. Using real-time operational and meteorological data and a holistic optimization approach for the remaining route to destination, the companies say Pacelab Flight Profile Optimizer provides pilots with reliable information on how to minimize trip cost. The resulting reduction of fuel burn is significant averaging up to 2 percent per year.

The addition of inflight weather updates direct to the crews’ tablet devices via Teledyne’s GroundLink AID+ ACARS proxy interface gives crews a more complete picture of their ongoing flight, and any changes in profile that may be required through a change in circumstances to achieve greater operational and fuel efficiencies.

An ACARS proxy allows multiple EFBs to send and receive ACARS messages, supporting pilots with ground and air Flight Operations communications, the distribution of flight documents, and load sheets. Crucially, the companies say airlines do not need to install a separate AID unit to benefit from the PACE/Teledyne partnership. With more than 8,000 Teledyne GroundLink units already flying, it is an easy transition for those with the technology already installed, protecting their legacy investment.

“By a simple interface with our AID+ unit and the PACE application, we can deliver all of the key flight data, and external data such as weather updates direct to a tablet to enable pilots to make informed decisions about their flight, and proactively find ways of maximizing their fuel efficiency,” Murray Skelton, director of Business Development at Teledyne Controls, says.

Finmeccanica Helicopter Division’s new AgustaWestland AW109 Trekker made a successful first flight with the Genesys Aerosystems glass cockpit. The new twin-engine, single-pilot IFR helicopter is the latest in the AW109 line of helicopters.

The Genesys glass cockpit is already in service on the Sikorsky S-61T, Embraer Tucano, Textron Scorpion, and Grob G-120TP. It features next-generation synthetic vision, Highway-in-the-Sky navigation, embedded TAWS and HTAWS, embedded FMS, integrated audio/radio management, built-in digital flight recorder, all Level-A software, and is MIL-STD NVIS ‘A’ & ‘B’ compatible.

“The Finmeccanica Helicopter Division and Genesys teams have worked extremely hard to achieve this milestone in a very short time,” says Ricardo Price, VP of Technology at Genesys Aerosystems. “The aircraft and avionics are performing extremely well.”

The Trekker avionics system includes three IDU-680 flight displays, dual VHF com, dual VHF nav, ADF, integrated radio management, dual audio controllers, radar altimeter, transponder with ADS-B out, helicopter TAWS, hover vector display, redundant flight management systems with GPS/SBAS, autopilot and stability augmentation system, and complete engine/systems monitoring. The IDU-680 has built-in interfaces for EO/IR sensors, DF, DME/TACAN, Datalink, and other special-mission equipment to easily accommodate future upgrades.

Duncan Aviation has been chosen as the exclusive AOG service partner for Gogo Business Aviation. The company will now work with Gogo Business Aviation to support Gogo customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days per year with LRU serviceable units and spare parts that are strategically placed at Duncan Aviation’s network of facilities and avionics satellite locations within the United States.

“With the world we live in today, connectivity in the air has become a true AOG item,” Matt Nelson, manager of Duncan Aviation’s Avionics Satellite Network, says. “People don’t want to fly without it. And with Duncan Aviation’s numerous locations and strategically positioned parts and spares inventory, we are in a position to provide Gogo with quick connectivity solutions for their customers from high-volume business airports across the United States.”

As part of the agreement, Duncan Aviation has invested in Gogo system spares and distributed this inventory across 17 Duncan Aviation locations in the United States. The spares support Gogo’s air-to-ground Internet and voice systems with wi-fi, Iridium-based phone systems and the UCS smart cabin system.

Business aircraft operators in need of Gogo AOG support should contact Gogo Business Aviation at +1.303.301.3278 from anywhere in the world.

Cobham SATCOM’s AVIATOR 300 SwiftBroadband system is to be certified on Shenzhen Airlines’ Boeing 737-800 fleet. Cobham has partnered with Southeast Aerospace (SEA), China Trancomm, Inmarsat and Delta G Design to develop the FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) and CAAC Validation of Supplemental Type Certificate (VSTC).

The AVIATOR 300 system will be fitted with Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband Safety capability for Airline Operational Communications (AOC) messaging on the Boeing 737NG aircraft, to meet airlines growing demand for continuous secure data exchange between their ground operations and their aircraft. The Cobham terminal will also interface to the airplane’s existing Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS), allowing the flight deck data messages to be carried over Inmarsat SwiftBroadband.

The new technology featured in the AVIATOR 300 will enable Shenzhen Airlines to comply with the Civil Aviation Authority of China’s (CAAC) mandate requiring airlines to operate and control voice communications independent of Air Traffic Control within four minutes, Cobham says.

The AVIATOR 300 features a compact and lightweight Intermediate Gain Antenna (IGA) to ensure a low profile on the fuselage. With data speeds up to 332 kbps, the system provides for fast and reliable connectivity on Inmarsat SwiftBroadband services, supporting high quality, low-cost voice calling and the full complement of data services.

The system has been certified for several key aircraft including the Boeing 757, Airbus 319, 320 and 321, Cessna 550, 550 Bravo and S550, Citation X, G200, Embraer 135 (Legacy 600/650) and Bombardier Challenger 300.

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) Reserve has selected Universal Avionics MFD-640 Multi-Function Display for their fleet of KC-130T aircraft. The contract was awarded by the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland. Aero Dynamix will modify the displays for Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) compatibility and deliver to the customer in support of their aircraft modification program.

The MFD-640 supports the display of weather radar, Flight Management System (FMS) data, Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS), synthetic vision, traffic, lightning and video.

“Our ability to leverage COTS products and technology in support of DoD/Military aircraft avionics upgrades continues to be one of the key capabilities that we provide with our products,” said Bob Sanchez, Universal Avionics Military and Government Program Development manager – USA and Latin America. “The KC-130T is a high-value asset for the USMC Reserves and we, along with our industry partner, Aero Dynamix Inc., are extremely fortunate to provide this safety and situational awareness enhancement to their airlift/tanker fleet,” he added.

“The contract is further evidence of our continued partnership with Universal Avionics and our unwavering support of our U. S. military forces,” said Tonka Hufford, COO for Aero Dynamix. “We are always proud to upgrade great products with our latest technology NVIS modifications, greatly increasing the operators overall operational safety and awareness.”

Thomas Global Systems welcomed the Australian Minister for Defense, Senator the Hon. Marise Payne, to their Sydney Headquarters on  March 4. Minister Payne officially opened the company’s new Electronic and Embedded Systems Innovation Hub [EESI-Hub], a new Center of Excellence. This center will be the focus of Thomas Global’s internal R&D and New Product Development initiatives. The new EESI-Hub facility is designed to optimize the conceptualization, development of concepts and integration of innovative applications in commercial aerospace and defense sectors, the company says.

During the site visit, the Minister met with members of the Thomas Global Systems’ Advisory Board and employees and discussed the role of innovation within the company. “We are pleased to welcome Minister Payne to Thomas Global Systems at such an exciting time in the growth of the defense area of our business,” Angus Hutchinson, CEO, said. “Her visit highlights the strength of our position as a leading national player in the defense industry. This new facility underscores that innovation and research are at the forefront of our business.”

The Company’s Chairman, William Hutchinson, added: “We are delighted to have Minister Payne’s visit today to open the new EESI-Hub facility which is important to our future as a world-class, innovative technology solutions business. To have her visit Thomas Global Systems so soon after the release of the Defense White Paper demonstrates her genuine interest in the contribution Australian SMEs make to our defense capability. Industry views the new white paper as an excellent framework for Australia’s defense posture over the next 20 years. Thomas Global has been proud to support the ADF for more than 40 years and looks forward to providing specialist capability to support the high technology future platforms the ADF plans to acquire.”

Dallas Airmotive has been recognized by Rolls-Royce for the investments and advancements the company has made to reduce turn times and enhanced customer support for its M250 maintenance, repair, and overhaul services.

During the annual Rolls-Royce M250 FIRST network award reception and recognition event at Heli- Expo, Rolls-Royce presented Dallas Airmotive with the Most Improved award. The award is given to the M250 FIRST network member that exhibited the most significant improvement during the year resulting in improved customer support.

“We are very happy to be recognized by Rolls-Royce for the improvements we made last year,” said Peg Billson, President and CEO of BBA Aviation Global Engine Services. “This award certainly reflects the focus and investment we have made to improve processes in order to deliver faster turn times to customers.”

Billson explained that Dallas Airmotive has put in a tremendous amount of work over the last year to increase the speed and the throughput of all the company’s MRO lines and processes. “In 2015, we reduced turn times by 42% across all of our product lines,” she stated.

Aircraft Technical Publishers (ATP) announced that CEO Charles Picasso has selected Mark Culpepper as chief product officer.

“Our new vision will create tremendous value across the entire general aviation maintenance lifecycle through an integrated suite of ‘smart content’ services,” said Charles Picasso, who took the helm as ATP’s new CEO in 2015. “This unified process management will enable maintenance providers to drive dramatic improvements in productivity, cost savings, and aircraft utilizations, while also preventing costly regulatory lapses. Mark’s deep expertise in designing and executing leading edge, cloud-based SaaS implementations will be extremely valuable in supporting this vision of optimized information management.”

Culpepper is responsible for leading all aspects of ATP’s product development process, including architecting and executing the company’s new product vision and strategy. As chief product officer, he oversees the product and technology development teams to ensure they are working in alignment as ATP transforms into a services-oriented company that will enable customers to seamlessly manage all of their end-to-end maintenance processes—ranging from compliance tracking to inventory management to maintenance forecasting.

Culpepper boasts two and a half decades of experience as a senior technology executive with global infrastructure businesses—working in sectors ranging from data communications and wireless technology to network security and distributed energy. A published technical author with deep domain knowledge of infrastructure systems, Culpepper has been quoted in national media, in addition to providing sworn testimony in front of the U.S. Senate.

Culpepper’s experience includes roles as chief technology officer and GM of Global Services at SunEdison, where he led the development of the world’s first global service operations infrastructure for distributed solar energy systems.