Spirit AeroSystems acquires Applied Aerodynamics

Through a subsidiary, Spirit AeroSystems has acquired the assets of Applied Aerodynamics, a composite maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) company based in Farmer Branch, Texas. The acquisition expands Spirit’s existing MRO infrastructure in the region with the addition of its long-standing partner Applied Aerodynamics’ expertise, workforce, defense work, and 120,000ft2 facility.

The Applied Aerodynamics acquisition enables Spirit to expand beyond MRO services for thrust reversers and nacelles on the Boeing 737 and 777 and perform composite repairs on radomes, flight controls, slats, flaps, spoilers, ailerons, winglets, and main landing gear doors for the Boeing 737, 747, 757, 767, and 787 and Airbus A320 and A321 models. For defense, Spirit acquired a new scope of work for C-17 flight controls and Coast Guard bearings.

Spirit will expand Applied Aerodynamics capabilities to its other MRO locations, including Wichita, Kansas; Western Europe; North Africa; and East Asia, in the next year.

Airbus gets JetBlue A220 service contract

U.S.-based JetBlue airlines is acquiring long-term Airbus components maintenance services for its 70 A220 aircraft on order. JetBlue is the third A220 airline operator to use Airbus’ flight hour services (FHS) and the first customer in North America. JetBlue started Airbus A220 operations in April 2021.

The by-the-hour maintenance contract includes material services with on-site-parts stock management and access to Airbus’ pool of parts, engineering, and repair services. During the last six months, Airbus has signed 11 FHS contracts with operators globally.

Navy selects Lockheed Martin, IFS for maintenance

The U.S. Navy has chosen Lockheed Martin and enterprise applications company IFS for a digital maintenance solution to transform multiple legacy systems into a single, modernized logistics information system.

The commercial-off-the-shelf IFS solution can plan and execute maintenance, repair, and overhaul of more than 3,000 assets including aircraft, ships, and land-based equipment. The solution combines artificial intelligence (AI), digital twin capabilities, and predictive analytics to anticipate and react to potential equipment failures before they happen. For instance, Navy personnel will be able to document faults, request parts, and report work completion during maintenance, reducing asset downtime while increasing data accuracy to enhance planning and procurement.

With the added support of Florida software developer Beast Code, the solution will be fielded at multiple U.S. Navy sites.