Latest news about Midlands aerospace

Nottinghamshire-based Icon Aerospace has developed a key enabling technology to create the first ‘Intelligent Connector (IC)’ for in-flight refuelling.

The IconIC™ hose system draws on the company’s mechatronics and polymer-to-polymer technology to accommodate power with telemetry cables and fibre-optics for data transfer – something previously considered unattainable. This provides for a range of key control and communication functions to take place between a tanker and receiver aircraft during mid-air refuelling.

Monarch Aircraft Engineering is to build a new 110,000 sq. ft state-of-the-art aircraft maintenance facility at Birmingham Airport, creating 150 new jobs.

Due to be operational by the end of 2013, the new MAEL facility will be the first UK hangar to have the capacity for Boeing 787 Dreamliner maintenance, large enough to accommodate two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft or 10 narrow-body aircraft.

Newcastle under Lyme sheet metal subcontractor KMF (Precision Sheet Metal) has maintained the prestigious silver SC21 aerospace recognition for its quality and delivery performance, since first winning the award last year.

MAA member JJ Churchill's new factory in Guaymas, Sonora State, Mexico, currently under construction, represents a significant step in the company’s plan to solidify its status as a “preferred supplier” with its main OEM customers by locating production facilities in the areas of the world in which demand is growing.

GE Aviation has placed an order with ITP Engines UK to undertake critical tests on its latest new aero engines. 

ITP will be conducting a series of tests including bird strike and fan blade-out tests, focusing on GE’s next generation composite fan blades.

The tests will be performed over the next two years at ITP’s Rugby fan test facility.

Rolls-Royce has won a US$2.6bn order, at list prices, from Singapore Airlines for Trent engines to power 20 Airbus A350-900 and five Airbus A380 aircraft.

Nick Devall, Rolls-Royce Chief Commercial Officer – Civil Aerospace, said: "We are very pleased that Singapore Airlines has continued to select Trent engines. This order further demonstrates the airline’s commitment to both Trent XWB and Trent 900 technology and our comprehensive TotalCare ® support services."

Midlands aerospace supplier Advanced Chemical Etching Limited (A.C.E.) is investing more than £1m to plan for future growth.

The company has taken on two new adjacent factory units and is acquiring additional state-of-the-art equipment that will enable it to reduce lead times and further improve quality.

The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne has announced that Rolls-Royce and the University of Birmingham are establishing a new £60m High Temperature Research Centre.

The centre will help develop future generations of aero engines, and is focused initially on investment casting, design for manufacture and systems simulation.