Archived Defence Sector News - 2010

Editors - please refer to the Notes to Editors for background information on Umeco plc and its operating divisions.

ACG Demonstrates Composite Expertise at Farnborough 2010 - 29th June 2010

ACG MTM®46 Prepregs Keep Watchkeeper 450 UAV Flying High - 20th March 2010

Other News	2009	2008
Defence

ACG Demonstrates Composite Expertise at Farnborough 2010 - 29th June 2010

Advanced Composites Group Ltd. (ACG), part of Umeco Composites Structural Materials (UCSM), will be exhibiting its composite technology on Stand A12 at the 2010 Farnborough International Airshow from the 19th to 25th July 2010.

ACG, a manufacturer a wide range of epoxy, cyanate ester, bismaleimide and phenolic resin systems for use in aerospace, space and defence applications, will be co-exhibiting with Pattonair International Ltd, the global distribution and supply chain management business of Umeco PLC.

MTM®44-1, ACG’s Out-of-Autoclave (OoA) pre-impregnated (prepreg) system, which has received Airbus qualification in both fabric and unidirectional formats for primary and secondary structures, is a toughened epoxy matrix optimised for low pressure vacuum-bag processing curing at 130°C and full performance after a 180°C post-cure. Airbus and ACG have underpinned the qualification of MTM44-1 by signing a framework contract that will provide commercial and technical stability to Airbus subcontractors adopting this new technology over the coming years

Centre stage will be the BTT-3 Banshee aerial target system, one of a range of remotely piloted vehicles offered by Meggitt Defence Systems. Parts of BTT-3 Banshee have been moulded using ACG’s MTM®57 epoxy prepreg system. The Banshee is in active service in over 30 countries, including 10 within NATO.

ACG’s representatives will be on hand to discuss and demonstrate the full range of structural solutions exhibited on the stand.

ACG caters for the needs of all markets and delivers optimised product formats to short lead-times, a service which is supported by a global network of dedicated sales and support agencies.

Image copyright: - Meggitt Defense Systems

For further information, please contact:

Advanced Composites Group
Jon Stowell – Sales and Marketing Director
Telephone: +44 (0)1773 766204
E-mail: jstowell @ acg.co.uk

ACG MTM®46 Prepregs Keep Watchkeeper 450 UAV Flying High - 20th March 2010

ACG, a member of the Composites Division of Umeco plc, has been qualified by global defence electronics company Elbit Systems to supply materials for the construction of the Thales Watchkeeper 450 (WK450) Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV).

Thales UK selected WK450 as the aerial platform central to their Watchkeeper surveillance system procured by the UK Ministry of Defence (UK MoD).

The use of ACG’s materials on the WK450, a development of the well established Elbit’s Hermes 450 - constructed from ACG’s LTM®26EL prepregs, strengthens the ties that exist between ACG and Elbit Systems. The build of the WK450 UAVs is carried out by Lola Composites Ltd, Huntingdon – UK and integrated at
U-Tacs, Leicester - UK.

Selected from a number of contenders, ACG’s MTM®46 epoxy prepreg system, one of a series of Out-of-Autoclave (OoA) processing aerospace systems, meets the requirements of the UK MoD and offers the manufactures, Thales, Elbit and U-TacS, a number of process advantages.

Developed by the Group’s global research facility in Heanor – UK for use in the primary and secondary structures of FAR23 approved aircraft and UAVs, MTM46 can attain a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 180°C and offers excellent retention of mechanical properties under ‘hot/wet’ conditions.

However, of great significance was the fact that MTM46 was developed for Out-of-Autoclave (OoA) processing. Following a low temperature/low pressure initial cure at 80°C, which can make use of low cost tooling, performance is further developed using a free-standing post cure to achieve the required material performance. Combined with excellent handling characteristics and extended out life of 60 days, MTM46 has proved to be an effective solution to the WK450’s structural requirements.

The Thales Watchkeeper programme provides the UK Armed Forces with an unrivalled Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability.
The WK450 UAV, fitted with an advanced sensor suite and the Watchkeeper surveillance system, provides 24/7 all-weather, day and night exploitation.

In times of war, tension or during peacekeeping operations WK450 UAV can stay airborne providing data, thus saving the need to deploy troops into sensitive or dangerous situations.

Requiring a ground crew of just two to operate the system, one operator controls the mission whilst the other tracks the information being fed from the WK450’s sensors. The system is capable of rapid deployment and operation anywhere in the world.

Image courtesy of Thales - UK

For further information please contact:

Advanced Composites Group
Bernard Twist – Export Sales Manager - e-mail: btwist @ acg.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)1773 766200

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Other News	2009	2008
Defence