Innovation abounds in Alabama’s aerospace and aviation sector. While big jets and space rockets get a lot of attention, there’s plenty more head-turning technology happening in manufacturing plants, design centers and testing labs across the state.
This work is worth showcasing as the aerospace world gathers in France for the Paris Air Show, the industry’s most significant trade event in 2017. An Alabama delegation is on the scene for focused meetings with leading aerospace and aviation executives.
Here’s a look at just a few of the cool products developed or built by Alabama workers, who are leaving a lasting impression on their corner of the industry.
“Alabama’s wide-ranging capabilities in aerospace mean that engineers, technicians and other workers in the state are involved in every aspect of the industry,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, who is attending the air show.
“Alabama is helping to the shape the future of aerospace,” he added.
LOCKHEED MARTIN MISSILES
Southeast Alabama produces some of the world’s most advanced weapons and defense systems.
It happens at Lockheed Martin’s Pike County Operations facility in Troy, which is a manufacturing, final assembly, test and storage operation for missile programs supported by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control (MFC).
More than 350 employees support final assembly of MFC missiles including Javelin, a shoulder-fired anti-armor system; the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile, which provides critical defense against short and medium ranged ballistic missiles; the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), a long range, conventional, air-to-ground precision standoff missile; and air-to-ground missiles.
The facility covers more than 3,800 acres, and new growth is on the horizon. Two years ago, the company announced plans to add 240 jobs in Troy by 2020.
Aerospace giant Raytheon also makes key missile systems in Alabama. Read about the company’s futuristic factory in Huntsville.
ADVANCED OPTICAL SYSTEM’S SPACE PRODUCTS
This Huntsville firm delivers smart imaging systems, including space docking sensors that provide real-time video and processing suitable for multiple missions.
AOS’ SVTS system supports launch vehicle separation and deployment, satellite proximity operations and spacecraft autonomous rendezvous and docking missions.
NASA’s DART Mission, Hubble Servicing Mission 4 and DARPA’s Orbital Express space missions have showcased portions of the SVTS system.
AOS was one of the winners of a 2017 Alabama trade award for exporting success. The company’s other products include target recognizing missile seekers and robotic helicopter cargo systems, as well as a completely touchless and germ-free biometric identity solution that’s the fastest and most accurate fingerprint identity system in the world.
GE’s 3-D PRINTED FUEL NOZZLES
Auburn’s GE Aviation facility is home to ground-breaking technology for aerospace manufacturing.
The company is using additive manufacturing to mass produce fuel nozzle injectors and says they’re the first complex jet engine part made with 3-D printing technology.
The process involves fabricating parts layer-by-layer from metals, plastics or other materials, guided by a 3-D computer-aided design model. The technology results in lighter, more durable parts than those produced with traditional manufacturing methods, while also reducing waste and improving production speed.
The facility, which was first discussed by company and state officials at the Paris Air Show four years ago, already is reaping other benefits for the region.
GE recently selected Auburn University as one of eight universities worldwide to be a part of a research program focused on 3-D printing and education initiatives.
In addition, GE Aviation is investing $200 million to build adjacent factories in Huntsville that will mass-produce materials for ultra-lightweight ceramic matrix composite components. CMCs, as they are called, are poised to revolutionize how jet engines are manufactured.
WESTWIN’S HOIST ARM SYSTEM
Huntsville’s WestWind Group offers engineering, manufacturing, assembly and support services to a wide range of customers.
One of its products, the Hoist Arm System, was developed as a mission kit to be mounted on Black Hawk helicopters to support rescue operations without requiring the aircraft to carry more than 200 pounds when it wasn’t in use.
Installation of the removable HAS requires less than 30 minutes.
It’s currently being used by the U.S. Army MEDEVAC community, Saudi Arabian air rescue, Mexico border patrol and the U.S. Homeland Security Border Protection.
The first 10 years of WestWind’s history was focused on rotary wing and fixed wing rapid response system integration and testing. But over the past decade, efforts have been focused on ground and Unmanned Aerial Systems.
