ASAP Fasteners Blog

In August of 2013, Rockwell Collins agreed to acquire Arinc, a manufacturer of commercial flight systems, for $1.39 billion. The announced deal came out a time when the US government is make drastic budget cuts in defense spending, a move which has affected many of the largest US defense contractors. The acquisition is intended to subsidize the losses that Rockwell Collins was taking from budget cuts by moving its business away from government work and into commercial work. The move will also greatly augment the company’s aviation information management offerings. By the year 2014, commercial business is expected to total 54% of Rockwell Collin’s total business.

Spirit Aero Systems Holdings Inc., one of Boeing’s major suppliers and also a first-tier aero structures manufacturer, just reported higher-than-anticipated quarterly profit. Thanks to higher margins, the company was able to raise its full-year profit forecast once again as major customers and aircraft manufacturers around the world are increasing production. Shares of Spirit Aero Systems rose by 5% and company revenue rose by 12.6% percent, bringing total revenue to $1.69 billion in the third quarter. Spirit shares also rose to $3.35-$3.45 per share from $2.90-$3.05 per share, with total estimated revenue increased to $6.8-$6.9 billion

Founded in 1929, the Curtiss-Wright Corporation was created from the merger of the Curtiss Aeroplane & Motor Company and the Wright Aeronautical Corporation (of Orville and Wilbur Wright fame, the brothers responsible for the world’s first successful flight). Now a publically traded company of considerable breadth and resources, the Curtiss-Wright Corporation took in a fiscal year 2013 revenue of over $2.5 billion and is staffed by a workforce of 10,000.This year, effective as of January 2014, the company substantially consolidated and restructured their business segments.

Grimes Manufacturing Company was one of the very first aircraft lighting design and manufacturing company. Now owned Honeywell Aerospace, Grimes Manufacturing Company continues to revolutionize the aerospace industry. This blog will give you some background information on the founder of Grimes Manufacturing Company.Warren G. Grimes is known in history as the "Father of the Aircraft Lighting Industry." In 1898, he was born in rural Montgomery County, a few miles from where the Wright Brothers had lived and worked to develop the very first flying aircraft. Living almost his entire childhood as an orphan, Warren Grimes did not have much adult guidance.

For over a hundred years, The Boeing Company has been a reliable and major contributor to the US military and many allies abroad. Boeing’s defense unit has been highly successful in the fighter jet market, particularly with their F/A-18 fighter jets that have been at the core of all US military branches for several decades. To this day, F-18 fighter jets are still being used in US airstrikes in northern Iraq and Syria against ISIS militants. Even the F-15 Strike Eagle, a multi-role strike fighter, has proven to be superior in both air-to-ground and air-to-air combat over the past three decades.This aircraft is also still in use in combat operations.However, Boeing is starting to be faced with the prospective of a much less brighter future than it has enjoyed for years. Production of the F-18 could end as early as 2017, with the production line of the F-15 also scheduled to end by 2019. In its place, the Pentagon has moved forward with development plans for their newest next-generation fighter jet, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, spearheaded by Lockheed Martin.

Based in Wilmington, Massachusetts, Ametek Aerospace and Defense is a prominent designer and manufacturer of electronic components and electromechanical apparatuses catering to the commercial and military aerospace industries. The Aerospace and Defense Division of the Pennsylvania-based Ametek parent company produces engineered solutions for the business jets (lightweight through intercontinental), regional aircraft (turboprop and regional jets), UAV helicopters and trainers, marine vessels, military vehicles (tracked and wheeled), and space (launch vehicle, shuttle craft, and satellite) markets. In 2013, the Sensors and Fluid Management Systems (SFMS) branch of Ametek Aerospace and Defense secured a supplier contract with the Brazilian aircraft manufacurer Embraer Defense & Security to produce electronic systems for the A-29 Super Tucano platform. Per the agreement, Ametek will deliver its cutting-edge triaxial accelerometers and AMPHION solid-state relays (SSR) for installation aboard the Embraer A-29 Super Tucano counter insurgency aircraft. Manufactured to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and 573/717 ARINC standards, the Ametek triaxial accelerometers simultaneously measures acceleration along the vertical, longitudinal, and lateral axis. Showcasing the company’s patented fail-open technology, the Ametek solid-state relay provides dependable electrical power control.

MD Helicopter, an American-based aerospace company which focuses on helicopter production, just unveiled their newest product, the 530G Scout Attack Helicopter. The 530G, which is scheduled for full production this year, is a very lightweight, versatile chopper that will replace its predecessor, the 530F model, which was developed in 1985. The 530G, which is smaller than a majority of Army choppers, is used primarily by US special operations forces. They are particularly useful in providing armed escorts or for light attacks. Other than the United States, other Allied countries are also regular buyers of these scout helicopters. In addition, these helicopters are being provided to the Kurdistan Regional Government, who are considered allies in the current fight against ISIS terrorists.

GE Aviation, the aviation business belonging to international conglomerate General Electric, is poised for substantial growth over the next few years. The highly successful business just received $30 billion lift for its engine business. According to CEO David Joyce, GE exceeded its target for firm order commitments while at the Farnborough International Airshow in London.The boost is due mainly in part to the joint venture between GE and Safran that has resulted in increased business.