The global aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) software market, estimated at $4.08 billion in 2017, is projected to reach $4.93 billion by 2022 – a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.85%. Increases in digitalization of MRO activities and high demand from MRO operators are projected to drive growth.

Research from ReportsnReports segments the MRO software market in aviation based on solution (enterprise resource planning and point solution), end user (original equipment manufacturers, MRO companies, and airlines), deployment (cloud-based and on-premises software solutions).

Major players include AerData (a Boeing subsidiary) (U.S.), HCL Technologies (India), IBM Corp. (U.S.), IFS (Sweden), Oracle Corp. (U.S.), Ramco Systems (India), Rusada (Switzerland), SAP (Germany), Swiss Aviation Software (Switzerland), and Trax (U.S.).

The highest CAGR is expected in the Asia Pacific region, where China, India, and Japan are key markets. Airlines currently account for the largest share of the aviation MRO software market, driven by the growing demand for operations and maintenance management. www.reportsnreports.com

Fidelity awarded E-3 MTS program at Tinker AFB

Fidelity Technologies Corp. won the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) Maintenance Training System (MTS) contract under Training Systems Acquisition (TSA) III multiple award contract. Fidelity will provide program management support, contractor logistics support (CLS), and a training system support center (TSSC) for the Air Force E-3 AWACS MTS program.

The MTS program supports maintenance and operational training for the 373rd Training Squadron 9 Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and the 552nd Air Control Wing (ACW), stressing maintenance procedures of the E-3 Sentry AWACS at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma.

The MTS capability includes the TSSC and associated training devices. The current E-3 training device suite represents direct E-3 subsystem mock-ups and computer- controlled AWACS subsystem platforms for training Air Force personnel in on-equipment maintenance. www.fidelitytech.com

On aircraft fiber-optic repair kit

Aurora Optics demonstrated a kit that can make permanent, like-new lifetime repairs to fiber optic cables on aircraft.

The portable MiniMod kit enables wire and cable personnel to prepare the cable, fusion-splice optical fibers, protect fibers post-splice restore cable strength and environmental integrity for the life of the aircraft. The kit is based on the world’s smallest fully-automatic fusion splicer. The fusion splices exhibit insertion losses, typically 0.05dB or less, and unmeasurable back reflection. The optical excellence and the cable restoration are unaffected by subsequent mechanical or environmental stress tests, including:

• Mechanical shock to 300g
• Sine vibration from 10Hz to 2,000Hz at 60g
• Random vibration from 10Hz to 2,000Hz at 43grms while thermal cycling from -67°F to 257°F
• Accelerated aging for 1,000 hours at 212°F while under tension, high humidity/temperature cycling, thermal shock from -67°F to 212°F
• Freezing in ice, altitude immersion, tension to 20 lb
• Exposure to aviation fluids including hot synthetic hydraulic fluid, runway de-icer, methyl propyl ketone

Flight qualified by the FAA, MiniMod is being adopted by Boeing Commercial Aircraft and major airlines around the world. www.aurora-optics.com

ST Engineering’s aerospace sector expands MRO network

ST Engineering’s Aerospace sector opened a new airframe maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Pensacola, Florida. The facility, located at the Pensacola International Airport, can perform heavy and line maintenance, and aircraft modification work. It joins two other ST Engineering facilities in the United States, increasing the company’s ability to serve North America and its global clientele.

Costing $46 million, the 173,500ft2 hangar is one of the largest in ST Engineering’s global network of seven airframe maintenance facilities. The facility has an annual capacity of 600,000 labor hours and can accommodate two aircraft of the largest version of the 777 widebody series, or six A321 narrow-body aircraft at any one time.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), carriers in North America will continue to lead in financial performance in 2018, accounting for nearly half of the industry’s total profits with a forecasted net profit of $15 billion. www.stengg.com

Gogo Avance L5 flying on 200th business jet

In 12 weeks, Gogo Business Aviation reached its second major milestone for Gogo Avance L5 after the 200th aircraft took flight with the new system on board. Gogo Avance combines hardware and software to create an integrated, aviation-grade inflight connectivity and entertainment platform.

More than 400 Avance L5 systems have shipped with hundreds of additional systems on back order and scheduled for delivery in 2018. Gogo expects to have approximately 500 installations of the new system by the end of 2018.

Avance L5 systems are being installed at all MROs and aftermarket OEM service centers. Gogo and its OEM partners and dealers received type certificate and supplemental type certificate (STC) approvals for Avance L5 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) across more than 40 airframes. Gogo and its partners are securing STCs for more than 15 additional airframes in the coming months.

The Gogo Avance L5 system connects to the Gogo Biz 4G network, delivering faster speeds and enhanced network capacity for live streaming video and audio, video conferencing, on-demand movies, personal smartphone use, real-time data for cockpit apps, and remote diagnostics and support while in flight. business.gogoair.com

Insitu’s ScanEagle will provide small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) services aboard the entire U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter fleet.

The approximately $117 million service contract covers the installation and deployment of sUAS for 200 hours per 30-day operational patrol. ScanEagle will conduct surveillance, detection, classification, and identification operations, providing real-time imagery, data, target illumination, communications relay, and other capabilities to the fleet and other government platforms.

In 2016, Insitu, a Boeing Co. subsidiary, won the contract to provide sUAS ISR services aboard the USCGC Stratton. By January 2018, ScanEagle had directly assisted the ship’s crews in seizing more than $1.5 billion of cocaine and heroin, contributing to the USCG’s record-breaking year for drug busts in 2017.

“The sUAS has already proven itself to be a transformational technology, and the deployment of this capability to the entirety of the NSC fleet is an incredibly important first step in realizing the Coast Guard’s vision of fleet-wide UAS implementation,” says Cmdr. Daniel Broadhurst, who served as UAS division chief in the Office of Aviation Forces.

The U.S. Coast Guard began infrastructure installation in April 2018, with plans to begin installing hardware on Coast Guard Cutters James in fall 2018, Munro in late winter 2019, and Bertholf in late spring or early summer 2019. www.insitu.com; www.uscg.mil

Swiss demonstrate national drone flights

In Switzerland, Swiss air navigation service provider skyguide and drone airspace management platform AirMap have demonstrated services with U-space, Europe’s plan for digital infrastructure to support safe and secure drone access by enabling situational awareness, data exchange, and digital communication. The demonstration was part of the Drone Innovators Network event hosted by the World Economic Forum; the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy, and Communications; and Presence Switzerland.

Dozens of drones performed commercial tasks, including medical supply delivery and weather monitoring, across the entire country. Each drone connected to the skyguide system, using AirMap technology, to receive live information about airspace and traffic, and to publish live positioning and flight path information to an air traffic management dashboard.

AirMap and skyguide officials previously announced they would jointly develop a Swiss U-space national drone traffic management system.

Skyguide provides air navigation services for Switzerland. With 1,500 employees at 14 locations, the company guides 1.2 million civil and military flights a year.

AirMap provides airspace intelligence and services that allow unmanned aerial systems to fly safely and communicate with others in low-altitude airspace. www.airmap.com; www.skyguide.ch

Trilliant introduces site surveying UAS

Raleigh, North Carolina-based Trilliant has introduced a site surveying tool using unmanned aerial system (UAS) technology. Trilliant is a network provider for energy, utility, and industrial Internet of things (IIoT) industries.

The integration of drone technology will improve quality, efficiency, and speed in performing site surveys and inspections. www.trilliant.com

Boeing HorizonX invests in urban delivery startup

Boeing has invested in Matternet, a Menlo Park, California-based startup developing on-demand unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) delivery operations in urban environments.

Matternet received authorization to launch UAV operations over densely populated areas in Switzerland in 2017. Leveraging its Matternet automated launch and landing station, M2 drone, and cloud platform, the company has achieved safe flights, and partnered with Swiss Post to deliver medical samples to hospitals.

“Matternet's technology and proven track record make the development of a safe, global autonomous air mobility system a near-term reality,” says Brian Schettler, managing director of Boeing HorizonX Ventures. “Our investment will allow Matternet to scale its operations while strengthening Boeing's position as a leader in next-generation transportation solutions.”

In May 2018, Matternet was selected to participate in a joint U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) program aimed at accelerating integration of unmanned aircraft into national airspace. Matternet will work with hospitals, universities, and transportation agencies in California and North Carolina to facilitate on-demand delivery of medical supplies and samples.

Boeing HorizonX Ventures led the $16 million investment in Matternet, with participation by Swiss Post, Sony Innovation Fund, and Levitate Capital. www.boeing.com; https://mttr.net

R200 and R201 photoelectric sensors enable applications with longer operating distances.

Standardized IO-Link connection via Smart Sensor Profiles allows convenient and reliable sensor integration.

DuraBeam laser technology and high-precision multi pixel technology (MPT) provide distance measurement.

Pepperl+Fuchs
www.pepperl-fuchs.com

High data rate space cables

WireMasters is distributing select Gore Space Cables for high data rate applications, including Type GBL (balanced shield line) for dataline applications and Type SpaceWire for satellite, telescope observatories, and other spaceflight operations.

The cables deliver power while improving signal speed and integrity among electrical systems in space. With durable, specialized insulation, the small, lightweight cables are European Space Agency (ESA)-qualified according to European Space Components Coordination (ESCC) specifications. High flexibility and tight bend radius enable easy installation and routing.

W. L. Gore & Associates Inc.
www.gore.com

LED Indicator for thick panels

The M6-thread 3mm CDLB series panel LED enables customers to design panels with 3mm LEDs to their own specifications.

The CDLB series mounts in up to 8mm thick panels, even with an optional washer for IP67 sealing. The front mount nickel- plated housing has a bezel shape with a protruded LED.

Wilbrecht Ledco Inc.
www.wilbrechtledco.com
IMTS 2018 Booth #134038

Multi-channel RF transceiver

The Sidekiq X4 high bandwidth multi-channel RF transceiver card has up to 800MHz of instantaneous bandwidth with four-phase coherent (or independently tunable) RF receivers. It is compliant with the VITA 57.1 FPGA mezzanine card (FMC) form factor, with support for fully integrated 3U VPX and Thunderbolt 3 options.

Epiq Solutions
www.epiqsolutions.com

Robot tool loader

The AR300 custom-designed, low-cost industrial robot loader is a 3-axis robot system. It has a 380-tool capacity and accommodates tool sizes up to 20mm x 150mm (0.75" X 6.00") long. It is contained within the FX5 Linear machine footprint, saving floorspace.

Anca Inc.
www.anca.com
IMTS 2018 Booth #237406

Customizable online catalog

The generator allows creation of PDF catalogs with covers, pagination, and table of contents. Optionally, a preset specialty catalog can be generated, such as for power electronics. Unlike traditional printed catalogs, the generated catalogs are current, using up-to-date online content data sheets. The ability to create capacitor documentation specific to a project in development saves time pulling, organizing, and assembling component data sheets.

Cornell Dubilier
www.cde.com

Modern aircraft manufacturing requires high metal removal rates while maintaining excellent tool life. Tools that can withstand higher cutting speeds but lower machining forces will reduce wear on machine components during extreme cutting.

Whether pocketing or profiling, the Harvi Ultra 8X consistently removes up to 20in3 (328cm3) of Ti-6Al-4V per minute while attaining 60 minutes of tool life per cutting edge.

The flutes and the coolant nozzles maximize chip flow. The KCSM40 grade is for high-temp alloys, and additional grades are available for other materials. Double-sided inserts lower cost per edge, increasing speeds and feeds.

Variable-helix geometry reduces vibration. Using 12mm and 10mm inserts results in more inserts in the cutter body, more inserts engaged in the workpiece, and more inserts to absorb the pounding of heavy machining.

Kennametal Inc.
www.kennametal.com
IMTS 2018 Booth #431522