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Memory Buttons Track CH-53E Parts The Naval Air Systems Command Naval Air Systems Command Depot at Cherry Point, has qualified Contact Memory Buttons (CMBs) to help track, monitor, and measure the reliability of aviation parts. Around 25,000 of the durable, high-capacity, read-write memory storage devices have been attached to Marine CH-53E Super Stallion components by fleet maintainers and NAVAIR field teams. CMBs made by MacSema Inc. in Bend, Oregon, now store part numbers, serial numbers, gauge codes, and work-in codes. Ultimately, they will carry maintenance data and history. Data is retrieved and changed with a probe reader. The Navy plans to use the new automatic identification technology with existing information systems for Serial Number Tracking through repair and overhaul cycles. The data will be used to track part configurations, identify defects, manage warranties, and reduce losses and misidentification. Keystone To Complete S-92 Interiors Keystone Helicopter has signed a five-year contract with Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation to design, certificate, and install custom interiors in VIP-configured S-92 helicopters. The first VIP S-92 under contract is scheduled to be completed in December 2004 for delivery to an unspecified corporate customer in the northeast US. The nine-to-ten passenger executive cabin will include lavatory, galley, and bar facilities, and a comprehensive entertainment and information suite. Keystone has long completed executive S-76s. However, the S-92 is the first helicopter designed to meet FAR Part 29 crashworthiness requirements, and the luxury interior must retain all high-mass items despite impacts to 20 G forward and down, 10 G up and 18 G laterally. Acoustic interior treatments will provide an exceptionally quiet cabin environment, and cutting-edge styling is meant to put the helicopter interior on a par with the latest fixed-wing executive aircraft. The completion work will include exterior painting of the aircraft. Keystone Helicopter will perform the work at the company's facility in West Chester, Pennsylvania. South Africa Selects CTS800-Powered Super Lynx The South African Department of Defence has selected the CTS800-powered Super Lynx 300 to operate from the new MEKO-class corvettes of the South African National Defense Force. The new Agusta Westland helicopters will be powered by 1,329 shp LHTEC (Rolls Royce/Honeywell) CTS800-4N engines. South Africa is the fourth nation to order the CTS800-powered Super Lynx after Malaysia, Oman and Thailand. Malaysia is due to take first deliveries of the Super Lynx Mk.100 at the end of September. Firm orders for the Super Lynx 300 family now stand at twenty-eight aircraft. A CTS800-based Future Lynx upgrade is also being offered to the UK Ministry of Defence to meet the British Army Battlefield Light Utility Helicopter (BLUH) and the Royal Navy Surface Combatant Maritime Rotorcraft (SCMR) requirements. The commercial CTS800 engine with its optional speed-reducing gearbox has some 60% commonality with the LHTEC T800 turboshaft for the US Army's RAH-66 Comanche armed reconnaissance helicopter. The first of 34 1,680 shp T800-LHT-802 growth engines for Comanche engineering and manufacturing development are due to be delivered in March 2004. Click NEXT For September news |
