EAST AURORA, N.Y., July 2, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ:ATRO), a leading supplier of products to the global aerospace, defense, electronics and semiconductor industries, today announced that Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, has successfully completed first flight of the Bell 525 Relentless. Astronics AES is proud to be a part of the Bell 525 Relentless team by providing the secondary electrical power distribution system. The power system features Astronics' CorePower® Electronic Circuit Breaker Units (ECBUs).
The ECBU offers greatly enhanced reliability, lower system cost and weight reduction. These solid state units manage power throughout the aircraft and provide fault detection, circuit protection and programmable load management through automated power control functions, helping to reduce pilot workload and improve crew awareness.
"We are excited to continue our successful relationship with Bell Helicopter on the Bell 525 Relentless," said Kellsey Justus, vice president of Astronics AES Airborne Power & Control. "The seamless integration of our ECBUs with the avionics showcases our product's capabilities while providing a significant increase in automation and improved situational awareness for the pilot."
ECBUs significantly simplify the electrical power distribution system by eliminating electro-mechanical switches, thermal breakers, relays, contactors, and significant wire content. In addition to wire protection, the potential for automated switch control can eliminate many standalone utility control systems. This can be accomplished in a manner that provides simplification and increases fail safe redundancy.
ABOUT ASTRONICS CORPORATION
Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ:ATRO) is a leading supplier of products to the global aerospace, defense, electronics and semiconductor industries. Astronics' products include advanced, high-performance electrical power generation and distribution systems, lighting and safety systems, avionics products, aircraft structures, engineering design and systems certification, and automatic test systems. Astronics' strategy is to increase its value by developing technologies and capabilities, either internally or through acquisition, and using those capabilities to provide innovative solutions to its targeted markets and other markets where its technology can be beneficial. Astronics Corporation, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, has a reputation for high-quality designs, exceptional responsiveness, strong brand recognition and best-in-class manufacturing practices. The Company routinely posts news and other important information on its website at www.astronics.com.
For more information on Astronics and its products, visit its website at: www.Astronics.com.