Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Aerospace

Element completes acquisition of MTC

Element has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Metals Testing Company (MTC), significantly strengthening the Group’s aerospace non-destructive testing platform.



Above: The Element  laboratory in Rancho Dominguez.

Located in Connecticut, United States, MTC is a Nadcap accredited special processor, providing a complete range of NDT testing services and related chemical processing, with a unique niche service focused on titanium critical rotating parts. Inspection services include immersion ultrasonic testing, fluorescent penetrant inspection and magnetic particle inspection. Chemical processing includes blue etch anodize, chemical etch, anodic etch, nital etch, swab etch, pre-pen etch, grain flow detection etch, and chem milling.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Rick Sluiters, EVP, Aerospace, commented: "We are delighted to officially welcome MTC to the Element Group. In the past few years, we have invested heavily in expanding our NDT platform in order to meet the strong-ramp up in production, especially for the LEAP and PW1000 engines, which the aerospace industry is experiencing.

"We are global leaders in providing our clients with the latest state-of–the-art testing and inspection services including high-demand services such as digital x-ray, immersion ultrasonic and etching services. With laboratories in Rancho Dominguez, California; Portland, Oregon; Houston, Texas; Hartford, Connecticut; Monterrey, Mexico; and Sheffield, UK, we are constantly investing in increasing our capacity, capabilities, technical expertise and geographic reach, enabling us to provide a local service on an international basis, improve efficiencies, and deliver cost savings for our clients."

Element is the number one provider of aerospace testing services in the world, with 44 laboratories located in the Americas and Europe, including in the UK (formerly Exova), that provide a comprehensive range of materials testing, product qualification testing and calibration services for the industry.

Advertisement
ODU RT

With 30 Nadcap accredited laboratories, the highest of any independent materials testing company in the world, services include metallographic evaluations; fatigue and fracture toughness testing; creep and stress rupture testing; non-destructive testing; EMI/EMC testing; and hydraulics and pneumatics.

 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Farnborough Airport to display Richard Cresswell

Aerospace Events

Farnborough Airport to display Richard Cresswell's Spitfire-inspired sculpture

14 May 2026

Farnborough Airport has announced the installation of a striking aviation-inspired sculpture in partnership with The Sculpture Park, Farnham, which will be on display at the Airport from early May through to the beginning of August 2026.

NPAS gains funding for additional helicopters

Aerospace Security

NPAS gains funding for additional helicopters

14 May 2026

The National Police Air Service (NPAS) has welcomed confirmation from the UK Minister of State for Policing and Crime that funding has been approved for two additional brand-new police helicopters to complement its National Fleet Replacement Programme (FRP).

K3Metrology secures UKI2S advanced manufacturing support

Aerospace

K3Metrology secures UKI2S advanced manufacturing support

13 May 2026

K3Metrology, a UK spin-out from the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), has secured a £2.75 million seed investment led by the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), to commercialise a new generation of large-scale measurement technology designed to improve efficiency and reduce delays in advanced manufacturing and aerospace.

European air passenger traffic expands +3.8% in March

Aerospace

European air passenger traffic expands +3.8% in March

13 May 2026

European airport trade body ACI EUROPE today released its traffic report for March and the first quarter of 2026.

Advertisement
ODU RT
SMD selects D-RisQ to advance autonomous systems

Aerospace Defence Security

SMD selects D-RisQ to advance autonomous systems

13 May 2026

Malvern based D-RisQ Ltd has been selected by SMD to accelerate development of their autonomy programme.

Stansted Airport

Aerospace

Stansted Airport's passenger numbers boosted by Easter getaway

12 May 2026

A bumper Easter getaway helped London Stansted record its busiest ever April as the airport welcomed more than 2.6m passengers during the month.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner