Smiths Industries has bought the actuation systems arm of BAE Systems North America for $100 million. The unit is non-core to BAE, but strengthens Smiths' position as a provider of non-cockpit-based control equipment for aircraft "utilities", ranging from electrical power generation to environmental controls, a competency further enhanced by the closure of its $175 million purchase of the aerospace division of Invensys. Smiths is already a major avionics manufacturer. Canada's CHC Helicopter is to sell its onshore UK operations to newly formed British International, understood to be led by Tony Jones, formerly of British International Helicopters, itself now part of CHC. The £35.5 million ($57 million) deal comprises Cardiff-based Veritair, the Scilly Isles shuttle services of Scotia Helicopters and various operations for the UK Ministry of Defence, and involves 12 helicopters, including eight Sikorsky S-61s and two Eurocopter AS365N2s. The sale, which will allow CHC to focus on offshore contracts, should close next month. New York-based L-3 Communications has completed its purchase of Raytheon's Training Devices and Training Services business, renaming it L3-Communications Link Simulation and Training. Canadian aerospace and pump specialist Derlan Industries is to buy Illinois-based Boeing Precision Gear, a manufacturer of drive systems for the Seattle company's AH-64 Apache, CH-46 Sea Knight and CH-47 Chinook helicopters and the F-22 fighter. Technology group Bowthorpe has launched a global data-management product and support group, Spirent Systems, comprising Penny & Giles Aerospace and Flight Data of the UK and Aviation Information Solutions, AvTech Solutions and WPDS of the USA. Cobham subsidiary Chelton has bought AEA Technology's electromagnetics and lightning test division, an aircraft antennas and avionics specialist, renaming it Culham Electromagnetics & Lightning.
Source: Flight International
