Composites technology developer Quickstep Holdings Limited has announced that BAE Systems Ltd has commenced testing of coupons made using the Quickstep Process.
Canning Vale-headquartered composites technology developer Quickstep Holdings Limited has announced that UK client BAE Systems Ltd has commenced testing of coupons made using the Quickstep Process.
BAE has requested the production and testing of coupons that represent simplified versions of actual parts required in specific aircraft applications.
The parts have been manufactured on the QS5 plant based in the University of Manchester's United Kingdom facility.
It is expected that the results will confirm an acceptable quality has been consistently attained using the Quickstep process in a production mode, and the results from this testing are expected to be available by the end of May 2006.
Quickstep CEO Mr Nick Noble said "successful test results will take Quickstep a significant step closer to receiving BAE's process approval. Once Quickstep's process repeatability within a material batch has been confirmed, the next step is actual demonstration aircraft components."
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ASX/MEDIA RELEASE OF 15 MARCH 2006 - ASX CODE QHL
QUICKSTEP ADVANCES ENTRY INTO GLOBAL AEROSPACE MARKET
Composites technology developer, Quickstep Holdings Limited (ASX: QHL, Quickstep) is
pleased to announce that BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd (BAE) has confirmed that the testing
of coupons made using the Quickstep Process has started.
BAE has requested the production and testing of coupons that represent simplified versions of
actual parts required in specific aircraft applications.
The parts have been manufactured on the QS5 plant based in the University of Manchester's
("UOM") UK facility.
It is expected that the results will confirm an acceptable quality has been consistently attained
using the Quickstep Process in a production mode. The results from this testing are expected
to be available by the end of May 2006.
Quickstep CEO Mr Nick Noble said, "Successful test results will take Quickstep a significant
step closer to receiving BAE's process approval. Once Quickstep's process repeatability
within a material batch has been confirmed, the next step is actual demonstration aircraft
components."
"Gaining aerospace process certification is an onerous procedure however the prize is large
with potentially highly profitable returns and very long contract life cycles. This combined
with the huge shift towards the use of composites in commercial aircraft endorses QHL's
view that aerospace is one of the key industries for the Quickstep solution", he said.
Mr Noble also noted that the recent £80 million acquisition of BAE's Aerostructures business
by US-based Spirit AeroSystems is expected to enhance the potential value to Quickstep.
Spirit's purchase is expected to be completed by the end of June 2006.
"We are delighted to be a part of this unison which creates a major trans-atlantic aeronautical
design and manufacturing company, with a significantly expanded customer base that
includes Boeing, Airbus and Raytheon - some of the biggest and most progressive names in
aviation industry," Mr Noble said.
Chris Wilkinson, Director of Capability and Engineering Development for BAE added "This
test work is an opportunity for us to define Quickstep as an alternative, lower cost solution for
aircraft construction."
To date BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd and the University of Manchester have between them
contributed total cash and in-kind support of nearly A$1 million to demonstrating the
Quickstep Process.
For more information on the companies specified in the above release see below.
About Quickstep Holdings Limited:
Quickstep Holdings (ASX: QHL) is a newly ASX-listed company, established to fully
commercialise a proven new composites manufacturing technology. Conceived and designed
by two West Australian commercial inventors, the revolutionary new fluid-based technology
allows an enhanced quality composite component to be produced faster and cheaper than
using contemporary composite manufacturing techniques. With strong patents in place to
protect this revolutionary new technology, Quickstep already has significant interest as well
as a revenue stream from equipment and licence sales entered into by a major automotive
manufacturer and a major aerospace manufacturer. The Company intends to develop multiple
income streams by licensing its technology to major aerospace, automotive and marine
manufacturers, enter into joint venture arrangements with strategic alliance partners and
commence contract manufacturing operations.
About BAE Systems Aerostructures:
BAE Systems Aerostructures employs over 800 people in the United Kingdom, and has a
history dating back to the first large-scale airplane production in Scotland in the 1930s. BAE
Systems Aerostructures had revenue of approximately $US367 million in 2005, more than
80% of which related to Airbus.
About Spirit AeroSystems:
Spirit AeroSystems was formerly a division of The Boeing Company, with a relationship to
that group dating back to 1929. Since June 2005, Spirit has been controlled by the Toronto
Stock Exchange listed, Onex Corporaton. Onex which now holds almost 100% of Spirit, has
turnover of $C17 billion, assets of $C15 billion, and some 138,000 employees.
With more than 9,000 employees, Spirit is the world's largest Tier I aerostructures
manufacturer. It continues its work on designing and building a part of every Boeing
commercial aircraft currently in production, except the 717. This year it commences
construction of the forward barrel section (including flight deck and systems installation) of
the fuselage for the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which is made entirely of the most advanced
composite materials. Spirit also designs and builds aircraft production tooling, has composite
capabilities, and provides spares and aftermarket support to airlines. (Go to
www.spiritaero.com and www.onex.com )
About Composites:
Composites are made by the combination of two or more materials such as fibres and resins,
which when combined have properties superior to the constituent materials alone. The most
common composites components produced are made from carbon fibre, glass fibre or Kevlar.
Due to numerous performance and environmental advantages, the composites market is
growing rapidly as they replace metals in many new and existing applications. Composites
are now key materials in the multi-billion dollar aerospace, automotive, marine, defence,
public transport and industrial markets. As composite quality improves and becomes more
price competitive the applications are growing. Quickstep, with its revolutionary new
technology, expects to be a key player in this development.
