Here are two of the stories about where we have been able to make a difference to our customers. But we’d be delighted to tell you more, so contact us for more details (click on the link at the bottom of the page).
Flight test bed programme for Airbus Military
Marshall Aerospace was commissioned by Airbus Military to undertake flight trials for the new engine which powers Airbus’ next generation of A400M military transport aircraft.
The project required our Aircraft Design Office to design specially strengthened wing structures to support the weight and power of the test engine, which was much more powerful than the test bed aircraft’s standard C130K engines.
Onboard performance monitoring and analysis was a key component, drawing on additional expertise from our test team. The test engine led to unique aerodynamic characteristics handled by our aircrew. The results provided vital data on the engine, propeller and nacelle performance.
C-130H surveys and upgrades for the Royal Netherlands Air Force
Marshall Aerospace surveyed three ‘mothballed’ C-130H aircraft on behalf of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), declaring two to be salvageable. After the aircraft were dismantled and transported from Tucson in the USA to Cambridge in the UK by sea and road, the C-130 expertise of Marshall Aerospace’s operational support team was brought to bear.
The brief from RNLAF was ‘restoration to flight’ that required extensive upgrades to the cargo bay, cockpit upgrades and avionics modernisation, plus many other modifications. Both aircraft were flight-tested by Marshall Aerospace test aircrew and delivered to the RNLAF.
L-1011 Tristar Satellite Launch Vehicle
Marshall Aerospace undertook the conversion of a Lockheed L-1011 Tristar to carry the Pegasus Satellite Rockets, which place payloads into low earth orbit.
Weighing in at 18,000kgs, the Pegasus XL rocket is the heaviest gravity dropped item ever released from an aircraft. It was around 20 metres long and weighed 25-tonnes, so when it was launched at 38,000 feet from an L1011, the aircraft's centre-of-gravity instantly moved three feet aft, at which time the aircraft also became considerably lighter.
The conversion included structural modifications to the aircraft required to carry the Pegasus Satellite Launch Vehicle and release mechanisms. Launch, control and monitoring equipment were also installed inside the aircraft cabin.
Flight trials, approved by the Federal Aviation Authority, were flown from Cambridge using Marshall and FAA aircrew, before the aircraft was flown to the United States of America (USA) to begin its commercial satellite launch programme. Four Marshall Engineers received NASA Orbital launch Services Peer Awards for their part in the programme.
Marshall Aerospace also carried out a second conversion for the Orbital Sciences who were contracted to NASA to produce the X34 hypersonic research vehicle. The aircraft was further modified to carry the larger and heavier X34 test vehicle.
Marshall AeroAcademy
In 2010 the first student intake at Marshall's AeroAcademy completed their first year of the Foundation Degree in Aircraft Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul in conjunction with Kingston University, and the University has commended the AeroAcademy for a positive first year.
During 2010, there has been a lot of interest in the foundation degree and there are a around 55 students arriving in September. This is made up of approx. 20 new students joining Year Zero and 20 new students joining Year One. The AeroAcademy will also be welcoming back 10 students who successfully achieved last years' modules and will be progressing to Year One, and 5 students moving up to Year Two. On successful completion of this two year course, an additional 'top-up' year can lead to a B.Eng degree for the students.
Kingston University recently carried out an External Examiners Board audit within AeroAcademy and Marshall staff were highly-praised for their excellent approach to student feedback and the results achieved by the students.
