Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment, Not Elsewhere Classified - Research and Technology

Research and Technology

A structural foam was developed by researchers at MER Corporation of Tucson, Arizona and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratories Materials and Manufacturing Directorate. They successfully produced a one-foot-long test sample of graphite foam. As a replacement for aluminum and graphite honeycomb core and for use in aircraft structures, this development showed promise. The many advantages to this structural foam included high three-directional strength, net shape molding and integral bonding, and co-curing to face sheet composite fabric without adhesive on intermediate steps, according to MER Corp. CEO James Withers.

A further development in the industry dealt with a Millennium piston engine rebuild program in association with overhaul companies. Superior Air Parts of Dallas, Texas, developed rebuilds for the most popular Lycoming and Continental piston engine models, which perform to more exacting standards than the factory overhauled engines. The rebuilds also came with a five-year parts and labor warranty and included Superior's investment-cast Millennium cylinders. Montrose, Colorado's Western Skyways was the first engine overhaul facility certified to perform Millennium rebuilds.

Research also has been done by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) into seats that enhance aircraft occupant survivability. This notably pertained to ejection seats. Ejection seats enhance national security by saving the lives and operation experience of pilot fighters and thus were studied extensively.