As a key component supplier for the Bell 206B-1 Kiowa helicopter, diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation helped the Australian Army’s Kiowa fleet surpass 60,000 flying hours in April. The aircraft has been instrumental in providing support for a variety of missions, including relief efforts following massive flooding and cyclone damage in Queensland earlier this year. “Eaton is proud to be a part of Bell’s supplier team and to contribute components that optimize reliability, efficiency and weight reduction,” said Mike Ruple, director of military accounts for Eaton’s Aerospace Group. “Operational readiness is the top priority in military aviation and is extremely critical during lifesaving relief and rescue efforts. Eaton’s components and support help keep Kiowa fleets in operation around the world, whenever and wherever they’re needed.” Eaton supplies a large number of the Kiowa’s conveyance systems components, including hose tube fittings and couplings that distribute hydraulic power, fuel products, cooling fluids and air throughout the aircraft. Eaton’s remote-controlled circuit breakers are designed to reduce weight while providing the benefits of a switch and circuit breaker within the same device for aircraft electrical system circuit protection. Additional content supplied by Eaton includes the Kiowa’s hydraulic pump and motor, the main engine fuel pump and refueling components, the power module, chip detectors, pneumatic assemblies, engine seals and check valves.