AAR eyes expansion of composites work
Components Aviation aftermarket supplier AAR is planning a four-fold expansion of its composites manufacturing capabilities. The company says it is leasing a 8,900m2 (90,000ft2) facility at the former McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, California, which will support expansion through additional equipment and capacity. AAR will occupy the portion of the facility formerly used by the US Air Force for manufacturing composite replacement aircraft parts. Last December, AAR acquired Huntsville, Alabama-based Summa Technology to strengthen its position in the parts manufacturing approval market, in which it plans to grow "dramatically" in 2008 and in 2009.
Aerospace boost for Kaiser Aluminum
Results Robust demand for aerospace and defence-related applications, coupled with additional capacity, drove California, USA-based company Kaiser Aluminum to a record for heat treat plate shipments in 2007. Operating income from fabricated products was up 39% to $169 million, including $42 million from increased shipments and stronger value-added pricing for heat treat plate sales were up 5% to 547.8 million. "We continue to capitalise on strong demand for aerospace and defence-related products," says chief executive Jack Hockema.
Rockwell Collins to expand in India
AVIONICS Rockwell Collins is to open an engineering centre in Hyderabad, India in October dedicated to hardware and software development, with initial work focused on the design of displays and flight-management systems. About 500 people will be hired over the next five years. Existing links in similar technologies with HCL Technologies in Chennai and Bangalore will continue. Senior vice-president Nan Mattai says: "Our new facility in India will enhance our presence in this emerging region and provide us with increased access to high-quality engineering and design talent."
Rafael ties in with indian electronics maker
MISSILES Israeli missile maker Rafael is to form a joint venture with Bangalore-based Bharat Electronics to enable it to meet Indian requirements for offset, technology transfer and local industry workshare. Bharat was set up by India's defence ministry in 1954.
SPACEHAB loses $33m in first half
SPACEFLIGHT Space access and payload integration services company Spacehab lost $33.7 million in the six months to 31 December on revenue of $12.9 million, including a $30.2 million non-cash debt conversion expense. The company, which is competing for contracts under NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services programme, says its Astrotech Space Operations and Engineering Services subsidiaries trade profitably. In January it created three new subsidiaries "to advance heritage capabilities to capture newly identified business opportunities" in orbital transportation, microgravity sciences and other technologies.
Rolls-Royce puts heat on south korea
DEVELOPMENT Rolls-Royce has opened its 29th University Technology Centre and first in Asia, at Korea's Pusan National University. The new UTC in Thermal Management will focus initially on developing high-efficiency lightweight heat exchangers. R-R describes this area of research as important in maintaining competitiveness across all of its aerospace, marine and energy markets.
Source: Flight International
