Exchange-traded funds offer a convenient way to invest in sectors or niches that interest you. If you expect the aerospace and defense industry to prosper over the long run due to the seeming inevitability of air travel and wars, the PowerShares Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSE: PPA) could save you a lot of trouble. Instead of trying to figure out which companies will perform best, you can use this ETF to invest in a lot of them simultaneously.

The basics ETFs often sport lower expense ratios than their mutual fund cousins. The PowerShares ETF's expense ratio -- its annual fee -- is 0.60%. The fund is very small, too, so if you're thinking of buying, beware of occasionally large spreads between its bid and ask prices. Consider using a limit order if you want to buy in.

This ETF has performed reasonably, beating the world markets by a modest margin over the past three and five years. As with most investments, of course, we can't expect outstanding performances in every quarter or year. Investors with conviction need to wait for their holdings to deliver.

With a low turnover rate of 12%, this fund isn't frantically and frequently rejiggering its holdings, as many funds do.

What's in it? This industry is facing some uncertainty, as our nation's financial troubles are leading to cuts in defense spending. Thus, lots of aerospace and defense companies didn't post impressive performances over the past year. (Fortunately, their fortunes may well change in the coming years.)

SAIC (NYSE: SAI) , the eighth-largest government contractor, fell 29%. Shareholders were disappointed recently when the company lost its biggest federal contract, worth up to $4.6 billion, to Lockheed Martin. It's not all bad news, though, as SAIC is still inking contracts, such as one worth up to $36 million with the U.S. Air Force. SAIC will be changing its name soon, too, due to an internal merger, to Science Applications International Corp.

Aerospace and defense parts supplierEsterline Technologies (NYSE: ESL) dropped 22%. In its last quarter, it posted a strong 16% increase in revenue, with its sensors and systems sales more than doubling and its backlog growing. But the company lowered its near-term projections, too. Some think the company may be acquired, but that remains speculation at this point. Folks at the Relational Investors hedge fund, which is Esterline's third-largest shareholder, don't like the company's recent performance and are encouraging the company to consider selling itself.

Computer Sciences (NYSE: CSC) , recent winner of a NASA "Contractor of the Year" award, shed 35%, reporting poor results in its latest quarter and announcing plans to cut costs and begin a turnaround. It has been busy collecting contracts, such as one worth up to $91 million to provide cloud-computing services for the Federal Aviation Administration. It's also expanding into new areas, such as the e-delivery, cloud-based service it's offering to insurance companies.

Industry behemoth Boeing (NYSE: BA) , meanwhile, ended the past 12 months in the black, up 1%. Investors are happy that its long-awaited Dreamliner is finally in production, but some worry about defense cuts, as Boeing gets roughly 40% of its revenue from the U.S. government. Europe's financial woes could hurt Boeing, too, via a slowdown in orders. Still, its future looks promising, partly due to its new fuel-efficient planes, which are extra appealing in these days of high fuel prices.

The big picture A well-chosen ETF can grant you instant diversification across any industry or group of companies -- and make investing in and profiting from it that much easier.

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A Promising Basket of Aerospace and Defense Stocks

Published: Monday, July 2, 2012, 12:01 a.m.

Gov. Chris Gregoire cut the ribbon on an expansion that will enable the center to accommodate nearly double the number of students learning skills to land jobs in factories and shops.

"We need the WATR Center to come back in two years and expand again," Gregoire told about 75 local and state politicians, educators and community members.

Nearly 800 students have completed 12-week programs at the center's Paine Field location since it opened in June 2010. Roughly 75 percent of those graduates have landed jobs in the industry.

"We're getting students jobs. Jobs, jobs and more jobs," said Jean Hernandez, president of Edmonds Community College, which oversees the center's training program.

Demand for trained aerospace workers isn't likely to stop soon with the Boeing Co. and suppliers speeding up jet production. Boeing hired roughly 10,000 new employees in Washington in 2011 and has added another 3,000 so far in 2012.

"We need the talent," said Wayne Brown, a director for manufacturing and quality for Boeing. "We absolutely need the talent."

Katharine Huey was in the center's first graduating class, in 2010. The facility wasn't completed when Huey began taking courses. But her instructors' enthusiasm made up for it.

After working as a mechanic for about 18 months at Boeing, Huey since has begun helping with training at the jet maker.

"This training changed my life," Huey said of the WATR center.

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Washington Aerospace Training Center expanding

CHATSWORTH, Calif., July 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Align Aerospace LLC, a global provider of aerospace fasteners, assembly component and supply chain solutions, has been appointed an Authorized Distributor for Click Bond aerospace products, announced Align CEO Richard C. Organ.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120410/LA84423LOGO)

"Our strategic partnership with Click Bond is most significant given both parties' high standards of quality and commitment to providing superior manufacturing solutions for industry," said CEO Richard C. Organ. "The addition of the Click Bond aerospace line adds another dimension to the expansive product offerings currently stocked and sold out of Align's global network."

Click Bond has been a pioneer of advanced fastening solutions addressing a wide array of applications for more than forty years. The family-owned company designs and manufactures an extensive selection of bonded fasteners that eliminate welding, structural penetrations and costly labor assembly while providing lightweight traditional threaded attachment points. Click Bond surface mounted hardware simplifies the installation and support of electrical, fuel, and hydraulic systems, while their rivetless nutplates reduce hole count by two thirds and reduce installation labor time by over 80 percent.

About Align:

Align Aerospace is a leading supplier of hardware and related components to a broad range of aerospace and defense OEMs and their subcontractors throughout the world. Experts in bid-to-buy, JIT, VMI, lean manufacturing and supply chain management, Align has more than 90,000 unique parts in stock from over 2,000 suppliers ready to ship from its warehouses throughout the U.S. and Europe. Between 1998 and 2011, the Company operated as Pentacon, Eurofast SAS, and Anixter Aerospace Hardware. Align began independent operations in August 2011 as a result of the divestiture of the business by Anixter International toGreenbrier Equity Group.

About Click Bond

Click Bond, Inc. (www.clickbond.com)is the global leader in adhesive bonded fastening systems for industry, delivering solutions that have revolutionized the design and assembly of aerospace, defense, marine, and energy exploration systems.

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Align Aerospace is Appointed An Authorized Distributor for Click Bond, Inc.

NEW YORK, June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Armed with significant cash on their balance sheets, and faced with hundreds of billions of dollars in federal defense budgets, U.S. aerospace and defense (A&D) executives cite strategic acquisitions as the highest-priority investment area to spur company growth, according to a recent survey by KPMG LLP, the audit, tax, and advisory firm.

In the 2012 KPMG A&D Industry Outlook survey, nearly three-quarters (71 percent) of A&D executives say their companies will be involved in a merger or acquisition in the next two years. In addition, 64 percent of A&D executives indicate that their companies have significant cash on their balance sheets, and more than half (53 percent) say they will increase capital spending this year.

Many executives say the highest-priority use for that capital will be strategic acquisitions for their companies (49 percent) up significantly from 41 percent in KPMG's 2011 survey. Forty-two percent say they will also aggressively invest in new products and services.

"The way we see it, there's a day of reckoning coming, and many A&D executives are telling us that this may spur an industry response similar to what drove major industry consolidation in the 1980s and 1990s, or perhaps an even more dramatic response," said Martin Phillips, U.S. and global leader of KPMG's aerospace and defense practice. "They are rethinking their strategies and becoming much more aggressive to drive growth and compete."

Phillips adds that U.S. government contracts are dwindling, companies are becoming more global, and foreign investors are looking to move into the "non-government" A&D sector as well. "All of these factors set the stage for much more aggressive M&A, product strategies and international growth initiatives."

In fact, when asked about the biggest drivers of revenue growth over the next three years, A&D executives most frequently cited acquisitions and joint ventures (50 percent) and new product development (50 percent). In addition to continued focus on cost reduction and operational improvement, executives say that the top management initiative for their companies in terms of energy, time and resources will be investigating opportunities for mergers and acquisitions.

"Companies must find a way to break through to new customers and markets, which in many cases will only be possible through partnerships, joint ventures or pure acquisitions," said Doug Gates, partner in KPMG's aerospace and defense practice. "In this era of continued belt tightening, we also must not ignore just how attractive some of our domestic assets look to foreign investors, especially as A&D companies look to divest from underperforming assets."

International Expansion Remains a FocusWith a continually challenged domestic defense sector, A&D executives remain focused on international growth. In fact, the four main strategies to fuel that growth are partnerships/joint ventures (41 percent), foreign military sales (38 percent), international expansion (36 percent) and acquisitions (24 percent). According to the A&D executives surveyed by KPMG, the highest priority foreign markets are Asia (other than China), Europe and the Middle East.

Phillips notes "last year 54 percent of executives identified foreign military sales as the key strategy, but the drop in the results this year appears to indicate a realization that the foreign opportunities these companies are pursuing take several years to materialize. We continue hear about India and Brazil, but look at it realistically and you see that foreign military orders have been minimal to date."

Despite foreign sales challenges, looking ahead three years, nearly half (43 percent) of executives surveyed by KPMG say that non-U.S. operations or customers will account for more than a quarter of their companies' revenues, compared with just 35 percent who currently derive more than a quarter of their revenue from foreign operations.

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U.S. Aerospace & Defense Execs Expect Significant M&A, Industry Consolidation Amid Sequestration Budget Cuts: KPMG ...

By Ross Marowits, The Canadian Press

MONTREAL - A unit of the European aerospace giant that owns Airbus plans to create more than 150 jobs in Quebec in a project that will see it build the centre fuselage for new business jets being made by Bombardier Inc. (TSX:BBD-B.TO - News).

Aerolia, a subsidiary of EADS, says the jobs will be created at two sites as it supplies a key component of the Bombardier Global 7000 and 8000 jets.

The provincial government is providing $15 million, including a $5-million grant, towards the $82.4-million project in the Montreal area.

Aerolia will begin its development efforts by mid-2013. Production of the first sub-assemblies will take place in Aerolia's sites in France and Tunisia.

The work will later be transferred to Quebec.

Bombardier is the world's largest manufacturer of business jets and the third-largest maker of passenger gets overall, after Airbus and Boeing.

The EADS Group, which includes Aerolia and Airbus and numerous other companies in the defence and aerospace industry, employs 133,000 people worldwide. Aerolia has 2,900 employees around the world and $1.18 billion of sales.

Aerolia Canada was established a year ago and its design office in Montreal employs 100 engineers to design the centre fuselage.

"The announcement of the construction of an assembly plant in Quebec formalizes a major, ambitious and exciting step forward, thereby giving concrete form to the industrial chapter of our contract with Bombardier," stated Christian Cornille, CEO of Aerolia.

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European aerospace firm expands in Quebec to build jet fuselage for Bombardier

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- A top official with the Alaska Aerospace Corp. says a special meeting will be held to discuss replacement of the corporation's departing CEO Dale Nash.

Alaska Aerospace president and chief operating officer Craig Campbell says options for the corporation's board of directors include appointing a new CEO directly or launching an executive search. The board could decide to name an interim chief until Nash's replacement steps in.

Campbell says no date for the board meeting has been set.

Nash, who is leaving his present post July 27, has been named executive director of the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority. He begins July 31.

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Alaska Aerospace board to mull replacement of CEO

TORONTO, June 28, 2012 /CNW/ - The CAW is warning that without renewed federal government leadership Canada's aerospace industry is heading for a stall and a vastly diminished role in this high-tech, global industry.

"This technology-intensive, export-oriented industry makes a unique contribution to a better role for Canada in the world economy," said CAW President Ken Lewenza in a submission released today to the federal government's Aerospace Review. "We can't take this sector for granted," Lewenza said.

Canada's successful aerospace industry is a living example of the wisdom of pro-active industrial policy efforts by government, Lewenza said. But the future is uncertain: Canada has lost 13,000 aerospace manufacturing jobs in the last decade, or one out of four. And our international trade performance has deteriorated: as recently as 2003 Canada had a $4.9 billion aerospace trade surplus - by 2011 that had been cut by 60%.

As other leading aerospace manufacturing jurisdictions including the EU, Japan and Brazil continue to strengthen investments in the industry, and governments in emerging aerospace nations such as Mexico and China work to aggressively capture a greater share of the global market, Canada needs to do more, the submission highlights.

The global commercial aerospace industry is expected to grow strongly in the decades ahead, but Canada needs to take action now to ensure it remains part of this growth, states the CAW submission called Pulling Out of a Stall: Plotting a Renewed Course for Canada's Aerospace Industry.

"This is a long-term business and we need to act now to make sure Canada stays in the game and that we continue to create high-tech, good jobs," said Dawn Cartwright, CAW aerospace director.

The 10-page CAW submission highlights six areas for strengthening government involvement in aerospace manufacturing. These recommendations include:

Other recommendations outlined in the CAW submission include enhancing skills development in the aerospace sector and the establishment of a sustained aerospace development council.

Jerry Dias, assistant to the CAW President, said the final report of the Aerospace Review to be completed later this year must be made public when reported to government. He urged the federal government to respond quickly and take steps to strengthen the industry as soon as possible.

"The ongoing support and leadership role of the federal government in building a stronger Canadian aerospace industry is crucial," Dias said.

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Canada's Aerospace Industry Set to Stall Without Strengthened Federal Government Action, CAW says

27-06-2012 06:39

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Richard Evans The Use of Social Media Technologies in Aerospace and Defence - Video

Fairmont Consulting Group Will Provide Due Diligence And Strategic Advisory Services To Clients In Aerospace, Defense, Government Services, and IT/TelecomBoston, MA (PRWEB) June 28, 2012 Aerospace and defense business advisor Jay Wynn today announced the launch of Fairmont Consulting Group, a management consulting firm specializing in strategy and due diligence for clients active in aerospace ...

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Aerospace & Defense Advisor Jay Wynn Launches Fairmont Consulting Group

Election season is just around the corner in the U.S. and the countrys deep fiscal hole remains a political hot potato. If the U.S. Congress drags its feet again and does not meet a definitive agreement on the fiscal budget, aerospace and defense exchange traded funds will likely see turbulence.

Congress has until Jan. 1, 2013 to make things right or else a mix of tax hikes and $1.2 trillion in budget cuts are set to go off, reports Stacy Curtin for the Daily Ticker.

The aerospace and defense sector witnessed a similar scare last year when Congress dawdled ahead of raising the debt ceiling, which led to S&Ps downgrade on U.S. sovereign debt. [Budget, Spending Concerns Ground Aerospace and Defense ETFs]

Most economists estimate that without an answer to the countrys budget, there will be a $600 billion hole in the economy in 2013.

The defense sector would likely take the brunt of the hit, accounting for half of the budget cuts. About $500 billion in defense spending would be phased out over the next 10 years, with $55 billion immediately cut next year.

In a recent study conducted by National Association of Manufacturers, over 1 million private sector jobs could disappear by 2014 due to the poor fiscal budget. The job loss would translate to a 0.7% rise in unemployment and up to a 1% drop in GDP.

Lockheed Martin (LMT - News) has already warned that the majority of its 100,000 workforce is at risk due to federal budget cuts to defense. Additionally, other defense companies will also likely diminish their workforce in light of the constrained budget.

For more information on the defense sector, visit our aerospace & defense category.

Max Chen contributed to this article.

Originally posted here:

Aerospace and Defense ETFs Face U.S. Fiscal Cliff

DAYTON, Ohio, June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. is a sponsor of the eighth annual Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) Tattoo to be held on Friday, June 29, 2012.

The Freedom's Call Tattoo is hosted by the AFMC and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to recognize the contributions of military veterans and their families. The annual event highlights Air Force Airmen and their capabilities to strengthen bonds with neighboring communities. This year's event will commemorate veterans' service during the Vietnam War.

Ball's Midwest Operations supports several Department of Defense organizations including the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), and Aeronautical Systems Center in Dayton. Midwest Operations provides analysts, engineers and scientists with domain expertise for intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, human performance and cyber missions. In the past decade, Ball's AerospaceDayton office has grown from its original 20 employees to more than 400.

Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions for national agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA and other U.S. government and commercial entities. The company develops and manufactures spacecraft, advanced instruments and sensors, components, data exploitation systems and RF solutions for strategic, tactical and scientific applications. For more information visit http://www.ballaerospace.com.

Ball Corporation (BLL) is a supplier of high quality packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2011 sales of more than $8.6 billion. For the latest Ball news and for other company information, please visit http://www.ball.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates, " "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99.2 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at http://www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect our packaging segments include fluctuation in product demand and preferences; availability and cost of raw materials; competitive packaging availability, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve anticipated productivity improvements or production cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange rates or tax rates. Factors that might affect our aerospace segment include: funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts. Factors that might affect the company as a whole include those listed plus: accounting changes; changes in senior management; the recent global recession and its effects on liquidity, credit risk, asset values and the economy; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions; regulatory action or laws including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; governmental investigations; technological developments and innovations; goodwill impairment; antitrust, patent and other litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return projected and earned on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget and debt limit; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and changes to unaudited results due to statutory audits or other effects.

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Ball Aerospace Sponsors AFMC Freedom's Call Tattoo

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Aerospace contractors ready to make cuts if funding fails

The aerospace sector is key to improving the competitiveness of the Welsh economy. Here a panel of experts explore the challenges and opportunities it faces.

David Pickernell of the University of Glamorgan assesses the importance of the aerospace sector to the Welsh economy:

AEROSPACE is a key sector in Wales, comprising around 150 firms, 20,000 people employed and contributing around 2bn to the economy.

Further, it is engaged in complex overlapping activities from aircraft manufacture (AM), through maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), to Research Development and Training (RDT).

Accurate secondary data analysis is often problematic, however, given that many firms with aerospace activities are often officially classified into other sectors, such as automotive or electronics.

The differences between pure manufacturing and MRO are also often blurred, with aerospace RDT difficult to disentangle from other supporting activities.

Nevertheless, broadly, given the capital-intensive nature of aerospace manufacturing, it has a relatively high average unit (i.e. firm) size. Aerospace also has relatively high levels of employee compensation, being significantly above the Welsh average for the economy as a whole.

The important high value-adding nature of the sector is also highlighted by GVA per head figures which are well above the Welsh and UK averages for all industries. Input-output tables also reveal that the sector is very open in terms of (geographically) external trade linkages, which is to be expected given the nature of the products produced and the global nature of the market.

Simultaneously, however, all three sectors in Wales face particular challenges. This is because of greater external competition, particularly from developing countries, but also because of the changing nature of the aerospace product itself.

Recent trends, for example, include the increased use of composites in aircraft manufacture, which reduces that value of the strong metal-specific expertise inherent in Welsh aerospace manufacturing. Countries such as Spain and Japan have over recent years acquired such composite expertise, and the Welsh industry will need to continue to develop its expertise in this area over the coming years.

Excerpt from:

Experts debate the challenges and opportunities of the Welsh aerospace sector

LOS ANGELES -- The nation's military contractors say they are preparing to shut facilities, tear up supplier contracts and issue pink slips to thousands of aerospace employees to deal with proposed federal budget cuts threatening to hit Pentagon spending.

After a decade of heady growth amid the military buildup following Sept. 11, 2001, contractors had already braced themselves for $487 billion in cuts over the next decade. But an additional $500 billion in cuts are now being discussed in Washington.

The new cuts are part of an automatic round set to take effect in January if Congress fails to reach an agreement on reducing the mounting federal deficit.

Although there is much speculation about whether Congress would let those automatic cuts actually occur in January, military contractors are ringing alarms now. Pentagon boosters in Congress, including Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, and chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, are also issuing stark warnings.

"Congress is playing political chicken with people's jobs," McKeon said in an interview. "The clock is ticking."

The automatic cuts would come if a budget deal fails to emerge in Washington. Under a law approved last year, federal funds of all kinds would be held back -- "sequestered" -- until there is agreement, at which time the funds may or may not be reinstated. Congress passed an amendment last week, calling on the Obama administration to specify

The buzzword used by contractors is "sequestration," and aerospace workers and subcontractors will be hearing that word a lot in the months ahead.

The Aerospace Industries Association, a trade and lobbying organization in Arlington, Va., has estimated that 1 million jobs of all kinds nationwide would be lost if sequestration occurs.

Still, there is skepticism about whether sequestration will take place. If it happens, it would affect both military, which is a core issue for Republicans, and social spending, which is important to Democrats, said John Pike, director of GlobalSecurity.org, a website for military policy research.

"Because of the convergence of these two things, I have a hard time believing that sequestration will go forward," he said. "I have tended to think the whole thing is smoke and mirrors."

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Aerospace contractors ready to make cuts, if funding falls

CHATSWORTH, Calif., June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Align Aerospace LLC, a global provider of aerospace fasteners, assembly component and supply chain solutions, announced today that it is an official sponsor of the world-renowned Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) held in the UK July 9-15, 2012 and will exhibit in Hall 2, Booth A-17C. Key representatives from the Southern California-based company will attend this year's trade exhibition including Align's recently appointed executives CEO Richard C. Organ and General Manager-Europe Jerome de Truchis.

"Align Aerospace, which was the Aerospace Hardware division of Anixter International before becoming an independent company, has exhibited at FIA for many years," said CEO Richard C. Organ. "We are excited to launch a new creative campaign that reminds our customers that we are here to provide smart supply-chain solutions that ultimately elevate their business. We look forward to this opportunity to interface with our customers and prospects."

Align Aerospace's performance and execution has recently been recognized through the receipt of multiple awards including the top FACC Excellent Supplier Award 2011 in Gold, and a Boeing Silver Performance Excellence Award 2011 for superior supplier performance. The company was also appointed an Authorized Distributor for Click Bond Aerospace Products, further demonstrating Align's commitment to elevating supply chain performance through superior execution.

About Align:Align Aerospace is a leading supplier of hardware and related components to a broad range of aerospace and defense OEMs and their subcontractors throughout the world. Experts in bid-to-buy, JIT, VMI, lean manufacturing and supply chain management, Align has more than 90,000 unique parts in stock from over 2,000 suppliers ready to ship from its warehouses throughout the U.S. and Europe. Between 1998 and 2011, the Company operated as Pentacon, Eurofast SAS, and Anixter Aerospace Hardware. Align began independent operations in August 2011 as a result of the divestiture of the business by Anixter International to Greenbrier Equity Group.

About FIAFarnborough International Airshow (FIA) takes place in the UK every other year, and draws some 1,400 exhibitors from the aerospace, defense, space and security sectors to showcase and demonstrate aircraft, equipment and technologies.

http://www.alignaero.com

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Align Aerospace Steps Up Presence at Farnborough International Airshow 2012

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., June 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Skytronics, Inc., a subsidiary of Phillips Service Industries (PSI), will showcase its FAA overhaul and repair capabilities for commercial and military aircraft actuation systems and ball screw assemblies at the 2012 Farnborough International Airshow. During these uncertain economic times, MRO personnel who oversee the operation of commercial and military aircraft must develop effective cost-management strategies to maintain their fleets. Established in 1956, Skytronics has been a reliable, cost-effective FAA-approved Repair Station for over 50 years, holding approvals from the EASA, CAAC and Boeing. In addition, Skytronics holds licensed parts manufacturing authority (PMA) on stabilizer ball screws for Boeing 747/737/727/707 aircraft.

At the Farnborough International Airshow, Skytronics will exhibit with another PSI subsidiary, Beaver Aerospace & Defense of Livonia, MI. For six decades, Beaver has been a global leader in the design and manufacturing of unique and broad-range actuation technologies. Beaver offers cost-effective design and manufacturing solutions on its world-class ball screws, actuators, ball splines and gears. Beaver is also the industry leader in customer satisfaction, with a track record for on-time delivery that exceeds 99%.

"Skytronics is always proud to partner with the actuation design and manufacturing specialists at Beaver Aerospace & Defense," said Brad Duschak, Vice President, Sales & Marketing at Skytronics, Inc. "Together, Skytronics and Beaver offer total lifecycle support for flight control components, from design, engineering and manufacturing, to aftermarket sales and repair/overhaul services."

The Farnborough International Airshow takes place July 9-15, 2012 in Farnborough, United Kingdom. Skytronics will be exhibiting in the US Pavilion in Booth 2/A14. For more information, visit http://www.farnborough.com/airshow-2012.

For more information on Skytronics, visit http://www.skytronicsinc.com. You can also follow Skytronics on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/skytronicsinc, as well as on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/skytronicsinc.

About Skytronics, Inc. (www.skytronicsinc.com)

Skytronics, Inc., a SDVOSB and subsidiary of Phillips Service Industries, Inc., is a leading manufacturer and provider of repair and overhaul services for commercial and military aircraft ball screw assemblies and actuation systems. Skytronics is the OEM for the horizontal stabilizer trim ball screw assembly for Boeing 747/737/727/720/707 and KC-135 aircraft, as well as the trim tab actuator for the KC-135. We have been an FAA-approved Repair Station for over 50 years, and also hold approvals from EASA, CAAC and Boeing. Our repair and overhaul capabilities include horizontal stabilizer trim actuators (HSTAs) and ball screw assemblies, flap transmissions and leading-edge actuators for a wide range of Boeing commercial aircraft, as well as trim tab actuators and horizontal stabilizer trim ball screw assemblies for the Boeing KC-135 military aircraft.

In addition, Skytronics manufactures, repairs/overhauls and distributes both new and overhauled components for general aviation aircraft, such as ignition harnesses, alternators, regulators and ignition lead conduit.

About Beaver Aerospace & Defense, Inc. (www.beaver-online.com)

Beaver Aerospace & Defense, Inc., a SDVOSB and subsidiary of Phillips Service Industries, Inc., is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of unique and broad-range actuation technologies for the aerospace and defense industries, serving commercial and military markets, as well as the alternative energy industry. Our award-winning actuation systems and components (e.g. ball screws, gears and splines) are custom designed to fit virtually any application, and can be found on some of the most advanced aircraft, missile applications and mission-critical space exploration systems in the world. And, to top it off, Beaver is the industry leader in on-time delivery, with current performance exceeding 99%.

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Skytronics and Beaver Aerospace & Defense to Showcase Total Lifecycle Support for Flight Control Components at the ...

ELGIN, Ill., June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --In response to evolving operational and environmental conditions, weight reduction has become a critical element in aircraft design and has created an increasing customer demand for weight-conscious sealing components. As a result, Simrit, a global supplier of precision-manufactured products for the aerospace industry, recently developed a proprietary, low-density silicone material that was successfully used in nacelle systems developed by a leading full-service independent nacelle system supplier.

Nacelle systems, housings that contain aircraft engines, are critical to the overall efficiency of aircraft, as well as a key area for weight savings and fuel economy improvements. Simrit developed its cost-effective AMS 3302 and AMS 3303 silicone material to provide a 15 to 20 percent weight savings over similar materials. With a specific gravity of less than one, it has the same physical properties of traditional silicone materials, but at a reduced weight.

"As our customers encounter changing operating conditions, Simrit strives to be a partner that they depend upon to offer forward-looking solutions that can be customized to fit precise application needs," said Todd Blair, business / product development manager, Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies. "Our innovative low-density silicone material is just one example of how Simrit is working to anticipate industry changes, so we can provide customers with solutions when they need them."

Simrit's low-density silicone material is an ideal solution for numerous aerospace sealing applications, including airframe seals and pressure and environmental sealing applications of nacelle systems. Developed to meet widely accepted international specifications, the material withstands extreme low and high temperatures, is resistant to common aircraft fluids and can be combined into fireproof constructions.

"In the ever competitive commercial aerospace market, airlines are being required to do more for less," said Vinay Nilkanth, vice president global sales aerospace, Simrit. "Our low-density silicone material provides the critical weight saving benefits customers seek, without compromising other physical properties."

The material is produced at Simrit's Nadcap-approved Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada plant, which is one of the most experienced facilities in the aerospace industry. It designs and manufactures aerodynamic seals and sealing products, including engine seals, thrust reverser seals, and door and window seals, for commercial aircraft and jet engines. The facility was recently awarded United Technologies Corp.'s Supplier Gold status for the third consecutive year, as well as 3M's Superior Performance Award for the second time. The plant is certified to the AS9100 Revision C quality management system including design for the aerospace industry.

For additional information about Simrit's low-density silicone, visit the Simrit booth (hall 4, booth D10) during the Farnborough International Airshow show from July 9 to 13 in England.

Simrit is part of Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies and offers an extensive portfolio of precision-manufactured products for the aerospace, agriculture, appliance, construction, energy, fluid power, mechanical power generation, mechanical power transmission and recreation markets. Simrit's global sales exceed $1.3 billion. For more information, visit the Simrit website at http://www.simrit.com.

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Simrit's Low-Density Silicone Achieves First Aerospace Application Success

Livonia, Michigan - Beaver Aerospace & Defense, a subsidiary of Phillips Service Industries (PSI) and global leader in the design and manufacturing of unique and broad-range actuation technologies, will showcase its refined design and engineering capabilities of flight control components at the 2012 Farnborough International Airshow. During these uncertain economic times, commercial and military aircraft manufacturers look for cost-effective solutions that don't sacrifice quality. For six decades, Beaver has set the bar high on designing and manufacturing cost-effective actuation solutions that meet the highest quality standards in the industry. Beaver's ball screws, actuators, ball splines and gears are custom designed to fit virtually any application with superior performance and precision. Furthermore, Beaver is the industry leader in customer satisfaction, with a track record for on-time delivery that exceeds 99%.

At the Farnborough International Airshow, Beaver will exhibit with another PSI subsidiary, Skytronics, Inc. of El Segundo, CA. Skytronics is a leading provider of repair and overhaul services for commercial and military aircraft actuation systems and ball screw assemblies. Established in 1956, Skytronics has been an FAA-approved Repair Station for over 50 years, and also holds approvals from the EASA, CAAC and Boeing. In addition, Skytronics holds licensed parts manufacturing authority (PMA) on stabilizer ball screws for Boeing 747/737/727/707 aircraft.

"Beaver Aerospace & Defense is always proud to partner with the aftermarket specialists at Skytronics," said Lee Pichan, Sales Director at Beaver Aerospace & Defense. "Together, Beaver and Skytronics offer total lifecycle support for flight control components, from design, engineering and manufacturing, to aftermarket sales and repair/overhaul services."

The Farnborough International Airshow takes place July 9-15, 2012 in Farnborough, United Kingdom. Beaver Aerospace & Defense will be exhibiting in the US Pavilion in Booth 2/A14. For more information, visit http://www.farnborough.com/airshow-2012. For more information on Beaver Aerospace & Defense, visit http://www.beaver-online.com. You can also follow Beaver on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/beaveraerospace, as well as on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/beaveraerospace.

About Beaver Aerospace & Defense, Inc. (www.beaver-online.com) Beaver Aerospace & Defense, Inc., a SDVOSB and subsidiary of Phillips Service Industries, Inc., is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of unique and broad-range actuation technologies for the aerospace and defense industries, serving commercial and military markets, as well as the alternative energy industry. Our award-winning actuation systems and components (e.g. ball screws, gears and splines) are custom designed to fit virtually any application, and can be found on some of the most advanced aircraft, missile applications and mission-critical space exploration systems in the world. And, to top it off, Beaver is the industry leader in on-time delivery, with current performance exceeding 99%.

About Skytronics, Inc. (www.skytronicsinc.com) Skytronics, Inc., a SDVOSB and subsidiary of Phillips Service Industries, Inc., is a leading manufacturer and provider of repair and overhaul services for commercial and military aircraft ball screw assemblies and actuation systems. Skytronics is the OEM for the horizontal stabilizer trim ball screw assembly for Boeing 747/737/727/720/707 and KC-135 aircraft, as well as the trim tab actuator for the KC-135. We have been an FAA-approved Repair Station for over 50 years, and also hold approvals from EASA, CAAC and Boeing. Our repair and overhaul capabilities include horizontal stabilizer trim actuators (HSTAs) and ball screw assemblies, flap transmissions and leading-edge actuators for a wide range of Boeing commercial aircraft, as well as trim tab actuators and horizontal stabilizer trim ball screw assemblies for the Boeing KC-135 military aircraft. In addition, Skytronics manufactures repairs/overhauls and distributes both new and overhauled components for general aviation aircraft, such as ignition harnesses, alternators, regulators and ignition lead conduit.

About Phillips Service Industries, Inc. (PSI) (www.psi-online.com) Phillips Service Industries, Inc. (PSI) oversees a diverse set of technology-based subsidiaries, which serve a wide variety of industries, from automotive, aerospace and defense, to energy, security and semiconductor. Established in 1967, our award-winning products and services help reduce costs and maximize efficiency for many Fortune 500 companies, as well as the U.S. military. PSI pushes the bounds of technology on critical programs like Homeland Security, Defense research and space exploration. Simply put, PSI is one of the most innovative companies in the world. PSI: Always innovating. Everywhere.(TM)

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Beaver Aerospace & Defense and Skytronics to Showcase Total Lifecycle Support for ...

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 26, 2012)] [Notices] [Page 38090] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2012-15546]

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice 12-044]

Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel; Meeting.

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, as amended, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration announces a forthcoming meeting of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel.

DATES: Friday, July 20, 2012, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT.

ADDRESSES: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Debus Center, SR 405, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Harmony Myers, Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel Executive Director, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC 20546, (202) 358-1857.

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NASA Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel Meeting 20 Jul 2012

The race to sell airliners, particularly between Airbus and Boeing, is putting the aerospace companies of the world in cut-throat competition to recruit engineers.

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Engineers have pilot position in aerospace jobs market