Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO)

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., 22 Feb. 2012. GE Intelligent Platforms in Charlottesville, Va., is introducing an enhanced version of the ICS-8580 rugged high definition video compression Express Mezzanine Card (XMC) module for video applications in aerospace and defense systems. The XMC helps users capture, transmit, and store high quality moving images at high speed with low latency and with minimal consumption of bandwidth or disk space, GE officials say.

WASHINGTON, 20 Feb. 2012. The U.S. Air Force's plan to upgrade the Lockheed Martin C-5 Galaxy cargo jet with new avionics and new engines is among the top defense systems upgrades and technology-insertion priorities for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) 2013 budget request submitted to Congress last week. The Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy project is part of the $14.44 billion that DOD officials plan to spend for systems upgrades and technology insertion next year, according to DOD budget documents.

PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md., 19 Feb. 2012. U.S. Navy aircraft specialists needed several sizes of advanced multi-purpose displays for the avionics systems of the Navy Lot 35 F/A-18F jet fighter-bomber and EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft. They found their solution from the Honeywell Inc. Defense & Space Electronic Systems segment in Albuquerque, N.M.

WASHINGTON, 17 Feb. 2012. Electronic warfare and electro-optics-related countermeasures are shaping up to be among the few real growth areas of the Pentagon's fiscal 2013 budget, which the Obama Administration submitted to Congress this week. Leaders of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) plan to spend $4.95 billion next year for electro-optic and electronic warfare work, which represents growth of 7.6 percent over the $4.6 billion DOD has budgeted for electronic warfare and electro-optics countermeasures this year.

SANTA CLARA, Calif., 17 Feb. 2012. Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) in Santa Clara, Calif., is introducing the Genesys 2012 software, the latest release of the company's RF and microwave board design application. The updated software provides enhancements in RF system simulation -- including electromagnetic, circuit and statistical simulation -- and features to help designers improve the reliability of their systems, Agilent officials say.

THE MIL & AERO VIDEO BLOG, 14 Feb. 2012. The Pentagon's proposed 2013 budget may not be the best news for military platforms like new plans, ships, and tanks, but among the brightest opportunities for aerospace and defense electronics suppliers involves military systems upgrades and technology insertion, with several new contracts and solicitations issued recently, reports John Keller this week in the Mil & Aero Video Blog.

ANNAPOLIS, Md., 12 Feb. 2012. Radio communications experts at ARINC Inc. in Annapolis, Md., are using supercomputers to help systems integrators design and analyze the performance of complex antennas. Complex Antenna Engineering and Analyses. The ARINC Advanced Systems Engineering and Integration Division has installed a Linux-based supercomputer to support engineering analyses for ARINC’s external customers. The company’s previous supercomputer also remains available.

BOHEMIA, N.Y., 8 Feb. 2012. North Atlantic Industries (NAI) in Bohemia, N.Y., is introducing the VPX55-3 3U rugged VPX power electronics device for harsh-environment aerospace and defense applications on land, in the air, and at sea. The VPX55-3 provides as much as 300 Watts of power with six outputs and complies with MIL-STD-704F.

TECHNOLOGY FOCUS, 8 Feb. 2012. Systems designers and systems integrators have openly admitted to treating connectors as something of an afterthought in years past. Today, however, connectors are often a central focus and concern for engineers championing efficient, effective, and innovative electronic systems for aerospace and defense applications.

BOHEMIA, N.Y., 7 Feb. 2012. Data Device Corp. (DDC) in Bohemia, N.Y., is introducing the BU-67401L low-power dual MIL-STD-1553 transceiver for avionics and other military networking and communications applications. the device measures 7 by 7 millimeters. The BU-67401L transceiver offers options for MIL-STD-1553A/B, MIL-STD-1760, and McAir compatibility to fit a wide range of ground and aerospace applications from mission computers and displays to ground vehicles and commercial aircraft.

SALT LAKE CITY, 31 Jan. 2012. Parvus Corp. in Salt Lake City is introducing the DuraNET 4948 ruggedized Cisco Systems Catalyst 4948E data center switch for demanding military and civil IP networking technology refresh programs and command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) applications in military ground vehicles, aircraft, surface ships, and submarines.

UVALDE, Texas, 30 Jan. 2012. Sierra Industries is launching programs in cooperative technology development with OEM companies, institutional aircraft maintenance contracting, and air charter and management services, as well as maintaining its focus on “the development of innovative solutions for business aviation,” says a spokesperson. The company has evolved from a small, service-oriented fixed-base operator (FBO) into a multifaceted aviation organization.

EAGLEVILLE, Pa., 22 Jan. 2012. U.S. Navy aircraft specialists needed common fiber optic test kits for Navy aviation systems. They found their solution from military electro-optics designers at Clear Align in Eagleville, Pa. Navy officials awarded Clear Align a contract to develop what company officials say is the first common fiber optic test kits naval aviation. Clear Align’s complex kits integrate test fiber optic inspection equipment and aircraft specific adapters for fiber optic testing capability to naval aircraft operating from aircraft carriers or from remote bases, Clear Align officials say.

SAN DIEGO, 16 Dec. 2011. Flight Power Repair Group, an FAA/EASA-certified repair facility, has selected Quantum Control to manage its specialized repair facility in Doral, Fla. Flight Power Repair Group is leveraging Component Control’s Quantum software to automate all repair shop and materials management operations, ensuring best practices across the business.The Quantum Control MRO and Logistics solution delivered to Flight Power Repair Group operates on a highly scalable and secure Oracle database and includes a range of logistics and business modules.

MADRID, Nov. 19, 2011. Cassidian Spain recently signed a contract with the Spanish Air Force to carry out structural modifications on five fuselages in F-5 aircraft. This is a follow-on to previous contracts, all of which aimed to implement a number of structural modifications in the F-5 fleet. These modifications have been designed and validated with a view to ensure the operational safety of the aircraft.

SEATTLE, 17 Nov., 2011. Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Singapore Airlines announced an order for eight additional 777-300 Extended Range (ER) airplanes. The orders were previously recorded on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website, attributed to an unidentified customer.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., 16 Nov., 2011. Goodrich Corporation (NYSE: GR) has been selected by Boeing to provide landing gear system maintenance services in support of the United States Air Force fleet of Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. Included as part of the agreement, Goodrich will provide training to Hill Air Force Base (HAFB) in Ogden, Utah to perform overhaul of C-17 landing gear systems as a Goodrich supplier.

CARY, N.C., 8 Oct. 2011. Lord Corp., involved in the management of vibration, noise, and motion control, has completed extensive testing of its In-Flight Propeller Balancing System (IPBS), which is part of a $4.5-million contract with the U.S. Air Force. Lord Corp.'s proprietary IPBS will be integrated into the Air Force’s C-130H (Hercules) military transport aircraft fleet equipped with 54H60 propellers.

MONTREAL, 6 Oct. 2011. Boeing forecasts that air carriers in North america will order 7,530 new airplanes worth a total of $760 billion over the next 20 years. Boeing expects the total number of airplanes in North America to increase by over a thousand by 2030. Demand in the United States and Canada will focus primarily on single-aisle jetliners. This is driven by the need to replace aging airplanes with new, more fuel-efficient airplanes. For the purposes of the Boeing forecast, the North America market consists of the U.S. and Canada. Mexico is included in the forecast for Latin America.