Welcome to the KDC News frontpage, read up on the latest engineering or KDC news - updated weekly! Alternatively select a year from the menu at the bottom of the page to view past news stories. More news will be added soon!

News last updated: 31/07/09

MoD Responds to HCDC’s Report into Helicopter Capability

In response to today’s report by the House of Commons Defence Committee into helicopter capability, Secretary of State for Defence Bob Ainsworth said:

“We are doing all that we can to get more helicopters to our forces in Afghanistan. We have almost doubled helicopter hours, together with increasing the number of helicopters for operations. The deployment of the Merlins to Afghanistan will mean a further 25% rise in helicopter hours from the end of the year. We are investing £6 billion over the next decade in our helicopter capability. But I will make sure that we will keep looking to see what more we can possibly do.

“However it is not just about buying helicopters, as the report acknowledges. It is also about investing in the training of pilots and ground crews and increasing the availability of spare parts to maintain them. We have made great strides in both to ensure we can improve the helicopter availability for our forces both quickly and sustainably.”

Following a review, the MOD decided that it is not feasible to advance the purchase of the Future Medium Helicopter and forego the Puma Life Extension Programme, without placing unacceptable risk on operational commitments. Our principal responsibility is to our forces on operations.

The planned life-extension of Puma helicopters will give them a major overhaul, with new engines, cockpit and avionics worth more than £300M, to provide a step change in its capability and deliver safety improvements. We are continuing to assess how we can best continue to deliver the capability currently provided by Sea King Mark 4.

The MoD will now consider in detail the Committee’s conclusions and recommendations on all aspects of helicopter capability, and publish our full response in due course.

Text curtsey of www.defense-aerospace.com

KDC to Exhibit at Farnborough

KDC are to exhibit at this years Farnborough International Airshow.

Farnborough International Airshow is the biggest, most internationally attended aerospace event in the world – a globally renowned showcase of aerospace equipment and technology. It provides the perfect venue for the world’s civil and military aerospace suppliers and their customers to meet and discuss, finalise and announce their business transactions. Over $40 billion worth of orders were announced at the 2006 show which was double the business from 2004.

KDC will be situated on the West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF) stand, which will be situated in Hall 4 stand E12. Peter Burden (Managing Director) & Bernard Doran (Account Manager Germany) will be there answering any questions and demonstrating KDC skills and services.

For more information, or to arrange a one to one consultation please feel free to email us at office@kdcresource.com.

Golf Day Proves Huge Success!

Many thanks to Air Bearings Ltd based in Poole, Dorset for inviting KDC to attend their Golf Day at Canford Magna. There was an excellent turn out for an afternoon of well humoured golf, playing in teams of four in the Texas Scamble format. A big thanks to Martin the organiser. The day went without hitch thanks to his efforts. Two teams tied on overall scores of net 59 but one winning on the count back (the team with the MD in!).

A fantastic day was had by all which has prompted us to return the favour along with inviting local engineering businesses to attend our golf day which is planned for the end of the summer.

If you would be interested in attending, please email jcummings@kdcresource.com for further information.

Cobham Australia delivers final Dash 8

Congratulations to Cobham Australia on delivering the final Bombardier Dash 8 border patrol surveillance aircraft to the Australian Border Protection Command (BPC) under the A$1 billion (£470 million) Project Sentinel.

Modifications to the aircraft included the addition of long-range fuel tanks, allowing each aircraft to search more than 110,000km (42,500 miles ) per flight from their bases in Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. They will provide all-weather, day and night electronic surveillance of Australia's maritime exclusive economic zone.

KDC are proud to have completed the analysis of the composite fuel tanks and their installation for tank suppliers FR Aviation. This included analysis of the CFRP pressurised tank, and its metallic mounting structure within the cabin of the aircraft, to ensure that they meet all applicable certification requirements laid down in EASA CS 25.