Airshow powers refuelling system

Airshow powers refuelling system

Engineering solutions specialist Barnbrook Systems has entered discussions about its cutting-edge refuelling switch with a global aerospace giant at Farnborough International Airshow.

The company’s smart refuelling switch – incorporating award-winning BlueCube© remote sensing and tracking technology – is currently being used on military helicopters built by Leonardo.

Now Barnbrook is in talks with another leading aerospace company at the airshow about installing the innovative system on its fleet of helicopters worldwide.

Barnbrook’s refuelling switch has transformed mid-air refuelling to make it easier, safer and more efficient by deploying intelligent sensing technology to detect minute pressure changes in fuel tanks and cut off pumps in fractions of a second to prevent spills. 

It is invaluable for refuelling at speed or during turbulence in flight or on ship decks in heavy seas, while improving aircraft range, performance and operational capabilities.

Andrew Barnett, managing director of Barnbrook Systems and board director of the Farnborough Aerospace (FAC) consortium, said: “Our refuelling sensor has consistently proved its value for operators where range extension is key for helicopter operations.

“We signed our first contract for the switch at the 2016 Farnborough International Airshow and have received significant and consistent repeat orders since.

“With our culture of innovation and continuous improvement at Barnbrook, we have enhanced and upgraded the system and BlueCube© technology behind it.

“It is incredibly encouraging to enter positive discussions with one of the largest players in global aerospace about deployment of the switch on its fleets of aircraft.

“We are still in the initial stages but Farnborough International Airshow has again proved the catalyst to allow a SME like Barnbrook reach primes of this calibre with potentially beneficial outcomes for all parties.”

Barnbrook, based in Fareham, Hampshire, with nearly 50 staff, provides innovative solutions for aviation and aerospace worldwide.

With CAA and FAA accreditations, it punches above its weight as a prime contractor and subcontractor with multi-national firms, the UK MOD, and overseas governments.

The business is attending its 14th consecutive airshow where its stand is next to the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC) hub.

Earlier this week it signed an agreement to provide its BlueDot remote sensing and tracking systems for green hydrogen pioneer Protium.

Managing director Andrew Barnett also met Prime Minster Keir Starmer on the opening day of the show when the PM launched a new Skills England agency.

Barnbrook Systems’ BlueCube© remote monitoring technology can be fitted on many different kinds of assets to track and monitor different variables in real time, such as temperature, pressure, humidity, GPS location, current and movement. The data is captured for AI predictive management and diagnosis. 

The aerospace company in talks with Barnbrook is not being named at this stage.

Barnbrook Systems Ltd is on stand 1317 in exhibition hall 1.