US Patent granted to Sikorsky for “Composite core densification”
Source: USPTO, 17-Feb-13
The following text is the preamble to Patent 8,372,498 granted on 12th February, which can be viewed in more detail on the US Patent and Trademark Office website here. The present invention relates to composite articles, and more particularly to core densification. Some composite articles incorporate a core such as honeycomb (HC) or foam for [...]
Russian Helicopters joins “Carbon Valley” project to study advanced composites
Source: Russian Helicopters, 12-Sep-12
Russian Helicopters, part of state defence holding Oboronprom and a leading global designer and manufacturer of helicopters, is to join the international “Carbon Valley” project, which aims to develop next-generation composite materials for the aviation sector. These innovations – particularly carbon-fibre reinforced polymers and hybrid airframe parts – will substantially reduce helicopter production and operating [...]
Eurocopter Canada produces 300th EC145 cowling
Source: Eurocopter Canada, 31-Aug-12
On Aug. 30, 2012, Eurocopter Canada Limited (ECL) completed its 300th cowling for the EC145 at its composite manufacturing facility in Fort Erie, Ont. “We are very proud of the hard work and dedication displayed by our composites team,” said Guy Joannes, President and CEO, ECL. “Composite manufacturing at ECL has earned its reputation for [...]
Eurocopter Canada Selects LaserEdge Templating System
Source: Gerber Technology, 19-Jul-12
Virtek Vision is pleased to announce the sale of its Virtek® LaserEdge® projection system to Eurocopter Canada for use in composite layup and reverse engineering. Virtek’s LaserEdge system is a three-dimensional laser templating system that eliminates the need for physical templates. It precisely projects a laser template onto molds to guide operators through the ply layup process, minimizing [...]
Sikorsky subcontractor Aero Vodochody opens new composite shop
Source: Aero Vodochody, 03-May-12
The investment for more than 100 million will bring new production capacity. AERO Vodochody, the Czech largest aircraft manufacturer opened new shop for components made of composite materials. The company believes the new and bigger workplace will bring new production capacity and attract new customers. The competitiveness of Aero will be also improved by extension [...]
NEW! MD540F – an MD530F with six composite blades, glass panel and more
Source: MD Helicopters, 09-Apr-12
MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI) released details recently of its new armed scout helicopter – the MD 540F, the newest addition to MD’s fleet of single engine turbine helicopters. The 540F is an upgrade to the popular MD 530F; boasting a 6-bladed, fully articulated rotor blade system made up entirely of composite material, in addition to [...]
Eagle Eye Solutions offers Aircraft Composites Seminar for Accident Investigators
Source: Eagle Eye Solutions, 14-Mar-12
Eagle Eye Solutions, LLC is offering a one-day seminar entitled “Introduction to Composite Materials for Aircraft Accident Investigators”, this program taught by Dr. Joe Rakow provides an introduction to composite materials for aircraft accident investigators and safety professionals. The seminar will be held on Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012. The training will take place at the [...]
Rotating Composite Technologies to supply S-97 Raider pusher prop
Source: RCT, 17-Jan-12
Rotating Composite Technologies (RCT) will participate as a member of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation’s S-97 RAIDER™ helicopter supplier team that is building a next-generation helicopter for evaluation by the U.S. military. RCT’s patented advanced technology composite propeller will add significantly to the aircraft’s propulsion system. RCT is among 35 companies nationwide announced as preferred suppliers [...]
Sikorsky selects Hexcel’s composite materials for S-97 Raider
Source: Hexcel, 16-Jan-12
Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) has selected Hexcel as a member of a newly-formed team that is building a next-generation helicopter – designated the S-97 RAIDER™ helicopter – for evaluation by the U.S. military. Hexcel’s HexPly® prepregs and HexWeb® honeycomb core composite technologies will provide high strength and light weight properties [...]
Heatcom wins $2.6M deal to support US Army composite repairs
Source: Heatcon, 16-Dec-11
A Seattle aerospace company has won a military contract and expects the U.S. Army to place future orders with the firm. HEATCON Composite Systems received a $2.6 million deal to provide equipment that assists the military in repairing composite aircraft in remote locations. “We are proud to be supporting the U.S. Army with advanced aerospace [...]
Hampson Aerospace launches new website
Source: Hampson Aerospace, 12-Nov-11
Hampson Aerospace (Hampson), an international aerospace group, has just launched its new website at www.hampsongroup.com. The new site highlights Hampson’s capabilities and its ability to offer a complete solution to customers with detailed information on each Hampson division, the latest news, press releases, financial reports, and much more. “The new website has been designed to [...]
Kaman acquires Vermont Composites
Source: Kaman, 03-Nov-11
Kaman Corporation (nasdaq-gs:KAMN) today announced that its subsidiary, Kaman Aerospace Group, Inc., has entered into an agreement to acquire Vermont Composites Inc., a leader in the design and manufacture of composite aerostructures and advanced composite medical equipment based in Bennington, Vermont. Gregory L. Steiner, President of Kaman Aerospace Group commented, “This is an excellent acquisition [...]
Quickstep and Sikorsky sign MoU on defence contracts
Source: Quickstep, 03-Mar-11
Australian advanced materials company Quickstep Holdings Limited (ASX:QHL – “Quickstep”) has secured a further opportunity for aerospace/defence manufacturing work in Australia, today announcing it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with global helicopter company, Sikorsky International Operations Inc (“Sikorsky”), aimed at enabling Quickstep to become a recognised supplier to Sikorsky’s global supply chain. The [...]
Aero Vodochody to close UK subsidiary Rotortech
Source: HeliHub.com, 16-Feb-11
Czech manufacturer Aero Vodochody has announced that it will close its UK subsidiary Rotortech Aero in April 2011, after it completes its last orders for its contracted partners. All production, except that involving UK military restricted work, is being transferred to the Czech Republic. While citing high wage costs in the UK, president Ladislav Å imek [...]
ITT delivers first composite assembly for CH-53K
Source: ITT, 22-Nov-10
ITT Corporation has delivered its first major structural subassemblies for the CH-53K heavy lift helicopter to Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. This delivery culminates nearly three years of advanced design, development, testing and manufacturing to provide sponsons for the CH-53K helicopter. These assemblies represent a significant technology advancement by applying composite [...]
Leading Edge Composites Receive FAA Airframe Repair Station Certificate
Source: Leading Edge Composites, 03-Aug-10
Leading Edge Composites, Inc. proudly announces that on July 21, 2010 it received it’s FAA Airframe Repair Station Certificate for the following functions: Fabrication of Composites Articles, Installation of Composites Articles (Interior & Exterior), Repair and Alterations of Articles (Interior & Exterior), Fabrication, Repair and Alterations of miscellaneous sheet metal articles into or onto aircraft, [...]
Boeing and Canadian partners launch advanced composites R&D consortium
Source: Boeing, 03-Jun-10
The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Canadian industry partners today announced the launch of a new research and development consortium aimed at strengthening Canada’s competitive position in the manufacturing of advanced composite materials for aerospace and other industries. The Canadian Composites Manufacturing Research and Development consortium (CCMRD) brings together major aerospace companies and small- to [...]
Quatro Composites Produces Wiper Blades for NH90 and CH-53K
Source: Quatro Composites, 09-May-10
Since 2007, Quatro has manufactured composite wiper blades for application in several military helicopters’ windshield wiper systems, including the Eurocopter NH90. Broadening their production portfolio, Quatro will begin the design phase for the composite wiper blades for the Sikorsky CH-53K Super Stallion helicopter in May 2010. Driven by the increased strength, stiffness, light weight properties, [...]
Malaysian composites firm looks to get foothold in helicopter industry
Source: Daily Express, 11-Apr-10
Harusmas Managing Director Abdul Rahman Khan said “For now, we are looking at the small and medium industry for modification and customisation of automotive parts. We are also looking at marine boats and water tanks. ….. We’ll be going into aerospace, specifically helicopter parts”.
Imperium’s Imaging Technology Selected for Bell’s FAA Joint Research Project
Source: Imperium, 11-Mar-10
Imperium, Inc., the sole developer and manufacturer of ultrasound imaging cameras for Non-Destructive Inspection (“NDI”) announced today the company’s Acoustocam i600, the world’s only handheld portable camera device, has been selected by Bell Helicopter as part of their joint program with the FAA to develop inspection technology and techniques to address maintenance concerns due to [...]
Kaman Awarded $53M Composites Contract From Bell Helicopter
Source: Kaman, 10-Sep-09
Kaman Aerospace has been awarded a five-year contract with a potential value of $53 million to build composite helicopter blade skins and skin core assemblies for Bell Helicopters. Under the terms of the contract, Kaman will provide 18 different assemblies for H1, 406, 407, 412, 427, 429, 430 and BA609 aircraft.
