GKN highlights emergency flotation and fuel system developments at Heli-Expo 2012
The company is displaying fuel systems supplied for a number of rotary wing aircraft and land vehicles alongside the latest repair developments.
Manufacturing both in the US and the UK, GKN Aerospace supplies full turnkey packages from fuel storage to engine feed, as well as flexible fuel bladders, crashworthy and self-sealing systems (above) and rotationally moulded tanks, and range extender tanks, incorporating explosive suppressant and anti-slosh technology when required. Process and materials developments mean even stronger, lighter systems are now exploiting all the available space on the platform, maximising fuel load and airframe endurance.
For the military market, GKN Aerospace’s self-seal fuel system technology is the fastest on the market, providing 7.62mm to 20mm round protection to all types of fuel containment devices. This ballistically tolerant technology is typically integrated at the design phase of a vehicle but can also be retro-fitted or externally fitted to ensure fuel supply is maintained throughout front line operations.
Emergency flotation systems for the Bell 212 and Sikorsky S70 helicopters will also be displayed on the GKN Aerospace stand. The company is an authority on the specification, design, manufacture and qualification of complete emergency flotation systems, designed to FAR / JAR 27 and 29. The GKN Aerospace team also continues to develop new materials and fabrication techniques to meet vital requirements for lighter weight equipment with extended performance and reliability - offering improved safety for crew and passengers.
GKN Aerospace also provides full maintenance support for its proprietary and customer products as well as to the broader market. This includes inspection, leak repair and detection and damage repair including repair of nitrile rubber and modern polyurethane materials, self-sealing and crashworthy fuel cells.
