V System Composites signs contract with U.S. Army for rotorcraft drive system composite components

V System Composites (VSC) has signed an Indefinite Delivery-Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with the U.S. Army Research, Development & Engineering Command, Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD), Ft. Eustis, VA, with a $20,000,000 contract value over the next five years. The first award of approximately $1,600,000 initiates the multi-year program focused on development and rapid implementation of rotorcraft drive system composite structural components.

The U.S. Army has identified critical needs for rotorcraft drive system components on helicopter platforms. Reduced weight, lower acquisition and maintenance costs, and enhanced maneuverability are all high priorities. VSC believes the best solution for achieving these objectives on a majority of the rotorcraft platforms is to replace heavier metal transmission components with lightweight composites having the following benefits: -40 percent Weight Reduction -Greater performance increases mission effectiveness with enhanced survivability. -30 percent Recurring Cost Reduction -More affordable components are possible through use of advanced textile preforms and a unique design and manufacturing approach. -30 percent Operation & Support (O&S) Cost Reduction -Elimination of corrosion, greater damage tolerance and fatigue resistance lead to lower repair and maintenance costs.

This program will utilize VSC’s patented HyPerVARTM and patent pending Affordable Feature Integration (AFI) technologies to address the unique design and manufacturing challenges of this demanding structural application. VSC will also integrate advanced 3-D preform technology from strategic teaming partner Bally Ribbon Mills (BRM), a leader in the development and production of complex 3-D woven structures. In order to address limitations of existing design and analysis tools for 3-D composites, VSC has teamed with Widener University for development of a multi-scale preform analysis capability. The challenge of developing a systematic validation and certification of 3-D composite materials for these structural applications will be addressed by University of Delaware, Center for Composite Materials – another key experienced team member.

The regional impact of VSC’s composite drive system program is significant in terms of high-tech job growth, nurturing applied regional engineering capabilities, and preserving our nation’s capability to provide leading-edge technology for rotorcraft platform solutions. Technology maturation and demonstrated production readiness of composite transmission structural components will lead to insertion on multiple platforms, through subsequent spiral development efforts that will generate additional performance and cost reduction benefits to the U.S. Army and Department of Defense.

V System Composites, Anaheim, CA is a world-class manufacturer of engineered quality composites solutions, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of DR Technologies, Inc. VSC provides engineered composite structures for aerospace and other commercial markets. VSC is a privately held company whose markets and product focus include primary and secondary aircraft structural components and sub-assemblies; structures and fairings for missile defense; and various structural products for commercial markets. Due to recent production expansion, including a very large 12’ x 30’ autoclave, VSC now provides world-class prepreg autoclave fabrication capability.