RAF Lakenheath Rejects SCAMA Equipment

April 30, 2014 - PRLog -- Aston PA. (USA), April 22 -- Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation, ESCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zodiac Aerospace, has successfully secured a contract to replace aircraft arresting system support equipment manufactured by Scandinavian Manufacturing (SCAMA) and currently installed at RAF Lakenheath, UK (a USAFE base).

In its "Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition” declaration FA5702-13-Q-0027, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) declared that the SCAMA equipment has never functioned correctly; even with SCAMA being called on to assist.  They conclude their justification: "accordingly, Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation, ESCO, is determined as the only company capable of providing the supply and services as described ….. above.  Without this equipment, the U.S. Air Force is unable to certify the runway for the RAF Lakenheath mission."

USAFE have a total of six hook cable systems installed at RAF Lakenheath.  In 2010 the existing 2 roller runway edge sheave assemblies were replaced by SCAMA with their 3 roller edge sheave conversions.  According to the USAFE, problems developed almost immediately:

·         Tapes on all six arresting systems showed severe edge wear and melting.

·         Tape guides developed deep grooves from tape misalignments.

·         Melted tape fragments were collected from various systems after each arrestment.

·         Tapes had to be replaced in as little as two months.  During one 20-month period, four sets of tapes were replaced on one system.

SCAMA representatives made no fewer than five visits to RAF Lakenheath and were unable to rectify the problems even after replacing the sheaves and wear plates with modified designs.

ESCO will be installing "Original Equipment Manufacturer" standard 3 Roller Edge Sheaves at all four locations. Due to the criticality of this safety issue work will be done around the clock so they can be manufactured, delivered and installed in a short amount of time.

About Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation

As a member of the Aerosafety segment of Zodiac Aerospace, Engineered Arresting Systems (dba Zodiac Arresting Systems) is the world’s leading supplier of emergency land-based arresting systems for military and commercial aircraft. This versatile product line for military aircraft is built around friction, rotary hydraulic and textile energy absorbers that are available as part of permanent, semi-permanent and mobile installations. These innovative products save lives and preserve the integrity of both the equipment and the environment.