Category: Military

The Measuring Division of Kaman Precision Products, Inc. is highlighting the availability of its KD-5100+ high reliability differential displacement measurement system, with nanometer resolution. With its extremely small size, and low power consumption, the KD-5100+ is ideal for laser communications satellites and ground stations, image stabilization systems, and directed energy systems for ground, shipboard and airborne applications.

The KD-5100+ is an upgraded, higher reliability version of Kaman’s proven KD-5100 measuring system and utilizes the identical proprietary hybrid microcircuit. The KD-5100+ incorporates upgrades to the circuit layout, ground connections, and sensor connectors, and adds higher reliability diodes and capacitors.

Featuring a small package size – only 2 x 2.12 x 0.75 inches thick – the KD-5100+ is an ideal solution for meeting SWaP-C requirements. It is manufactured to Mil-PRF-38534 Class H, with MIL-SPEC components used throughout the electronics. The KD-5100+ features a mean time between failures exceeding 238,000 hours in a space flight environment and 55,000 hours in a tactical environment. Kaman also offers the DIT-5200, a commercial version of the KD-5100+ for applications where mil-spec requirements, size, weight and power consumption are less critical.

RAF Valley in Anglesey and RAF Northolt in London, assisted in two stages of an extraordinary relay – that resulted in the rehabilitation of one of the world’s most endangered animals back into the wild and to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

A Kemps-Ridley turtle was found washed up on Talacre beach, near Prestatyn, N. Wales nearly two years ago and has been dubbed ‘Tally’ in honor of that link. It was initially believed to be dead but thanks to some quick thinking it was recovered owing to the timely intervention of British Divers Marine Life Rescue expert Gem Simmons — who now acts as an unpaid conservation advisor to RAF Valley, an airfield that borders a considerable nature reserve. The animal was then transferred to Anglesey Sea Zoo — where it has been nursed back to health thanks to the dedication of Sea Zoo Director Frankie Hobro and her team.

At the request of Anglesey Sea Zoo and wildlife protection organizations in the United States, the RAF has agreed to assist in a key stage of the rehabilitation of this critically endangered turtle. In what the lead US turtle rescue charity Director Ken Andrews describes as the “furthest and most complex repatriation effort they have ever been involved in.”

In the early hours of Wednesday morning August 30, RAF Valley will provide a police escort from Sea Zoo to RAF Valley and then a team of volunteer pilots will transfer the animal from RAF Valley to RAF Northolt for onward transit to Heathrow and thence a scheduled flight to Texas ahead of release.

Ken Andrews of the U.S. Charity ‘Turtles fly too’ said we are indebted to the RAF for their valuable time and assistance here, both in applying their military planning and logistical skills to this operation and in providing practical help in ensuring the best prospects for the animal by allowing it to fly from RAF Valley, as a road move of the animal overland would have added considerably to the animal’s stress levels and disruption

Group Captain Matt Hoare, RAF Valley’s Station Commander said: “This is clearly not core Royal Air Force business, but my team here at Valley have been delighted to assist with this most worthy venture.  It is probably worth noting that the repatriation means that Valley (and RAF Northolt) would have played a small part in helping save what the lead US turtle rescue charity described to us this morning as one of the most endangered of all sea turtles in the world’s oceans, with only 1 in 1000 making it to Tally’s age; indeed, it would difficult to imagine a more threatened animal. We look forward to being able to monitor its progress.”

Acting Sergeant Beth Roberts, who has been involved in planning this from the start, said:  “it has given us all a spring in our step to know we are helping in this way and it has been a privilege to work with these other international agencies, wildlife charities and Anglesey Sea Zoo — to assist with this worthwhile project. God Speed Tally!!”

Mary Kay Skoruppa, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Texas Sea Turtle Coordinator added: “Thanks to the response of a great group of international partners and volunteers, Tally is alive and ready to come home.”

Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are the smallest and one of the most endangered species of sea turtles in the world.

Though primarily found in the Gulf of Mexico and coastal waters of eastern North America, juvenile Kemp’s ridleys sometimes get swept up in the powerful Gulf Stream and are carried all the way across the Atlantic.

If all goes well, the international team of partners along with Dr. Donna Shaver, the Texas Sea Turtle Stranding Coordinator from Padre Island National Seashore, are planning to meet in Galveston to celebrate Tally’s release back into the wild in early September.

“An endangered species is one that is at risk of extinction in the near future, so every individual counts,” Skoruppa said. “We are incredibly thankful for all the volunteers and partners who have given Tally a second chance at life; from the dog walker in Wales who reported the turtle, to Turtles Fly Too who are generously flying her back to Texas. We hope that Tally will grow to maturity and return to nest on a Texas beach in a few years to help ensure her species’ survival into the future.”

Texas A&M University at Galveston’s Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research will attach a tracking device to monitor its movements after release.

The United States Air Force has awarded Pacific Propeller International (PPI) a sole-source five-year $74 million dollar repair and overhaul contract supporting foreign militaries operating the Lockheed C-130 with 54H60 propeller and components. For decades, global C-130 operators have used the tough, reliable 54H60 Hamilton Standard propeller system in a wide range of operating environments.

The effort will provide overhaul repair capability for the United States Air Force (USAF) and multiple Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers throughout the world by establishing a worldwide solution to accomplish depot-level maintenance (DLM), consisting of, but not limited to, inspection/repair/overhaul/transportation and modification of 54H60 Series Propellers, Propeller Blades, and Integrated Oil Control (IOC), including applicable Safety of Flight (SoF) modification, and Time Compliance Technical Orders (TCTOs).

With 50+ years’ experience maintaining this propeller, PPI is recognized as the industry leader and already well-established internationally with the C-130 community.  “This dynamic new FMS maintenance channel efficiently provides operators a smooth link to our experienced, technical experts, dedicated support team and state-of-the-art facility and equipment,” states Jeff Heikke, PPI and business group CEO.  “Our goal was to incorporate new, stringent technical and inspection standards while improving throughput and turn time for our customers.”

Although the program is primarily focused on foreign military sales, the USAF has the option to utilize the PPI contract for MRO services supporting urgent or overflow requirements for the U.S. military C-130 fleet.

Buddy Tobin, PPI’s vice president sales, knows clearly the customers’ needs and recognizes the solutions and value this contract provides.  “We understand military fleet readiness is the highest priority. As the premiere MRO facility for 54H60 propeller services, our reputation delivering safe, high-quality props, and having the resources, assets, and production to back it up were essential during preparation and negotiation.” PPI’s international reputation was built on strong relationships and face-to-face discussions.  “Our team is ready to meet with each FMS Country Manager and operator directly,” adds Buddy Tobin.

“Having unmatched MRO services and the most efficient delivery turn times of propeller systems in the industry, with two complete production lines, is not only a function of capacity and productivity, but it also relies on having the necessary parts and components on-hand,” says Jared Flynn, PPI’s general manager. “Our team has done a fantastic job of preparing for the workflow, and a 54H60 parts inventory second to none. Sourcing challenges had to be resolved and we did just that. We are ready.” 

Barnes Aerospace secured an agreement to partner with Blue Raven Solutions. The two businesses entered a U.S. military Aftermarket distribution agreement for Barnes Aerospace products. This agreement helps Barnes Aerospace grow its U.S. military Aftermarket business through Blue Raven Solutions’ tech-enabled, scalable supply chain solutions across various platforms that support the warfighter, the nation, and commercial customers.

Under the terms of the agreement, Barnes Aerospace appointed Blue Raven Solutions as an exclusive distributor of Barnes Aerospace products directly to the DLA Aviation, DLA Land and Maritime, DLA Troop Support divisions, and all other U.S. military agencies for Aftermarket sales. Barnes Aerospace will maintain its existing contracts and relationships with the OEM customers and, indirectly, the U.S. military agencies.

“Barnes Aerospace is honored to announce an agreement to partner with Blue Raven Solutions,” said Ian Reason, senior vice president, Barnes and President, Barnes Aerospace. “Their proven legacy of driving supply chain transformation through intelligent systems to ensure customers are always ready will help Barnes Aerospace make more of its products and services available to the U.S. military aftermarket. We are grateful and proud of Blue Raven Solutions’ choice to partner with Barnes Aerospace and their confidence in our ability to grow this market better together.”

By leveraging Blue Raven Solutions’ strong heritage in the Military Aftermarket and intelligent systems, Barnes Aerospace says it is well-positioned to meet the requirements of the U.S. military aftermarket.