As platforms age, OEM support for sustainment diminishes and end-users tasked with maintaining operational readiness are faced with critical supply chain deficits. Kellstrom Defense offers its military customer base legacy aircraft solutions that address these shortfalls. We are a global provider of comprehensive support for U.S. manufactured legacy defense platforms including fighters, transports, patrol aircraft and helicopters.
Systems Supported
Distribution
Maintaining agreements with key industry partners including Original Equipment Manufacturers, plays a vital role in Kellstrom Defense's commitment to its “Total Support” approach to legacy platform sustainment. Kellstrom Defense has identified major F-5 /T-38 distribution channel deficits and partnered with key providers to bridge that gap. We collaborate with our partners and customers to establish and maintain availability for a broad range of components.
MRO
In-house Repair Capabilities
Kellstrom Defense owns and operates an FAA-approved and Honeywell and AMETEK certified repair station specializing in the complete repair and overhaul of Accessory Class III, Instrument Class I, II, III, and IV products, as well as various instruments in support of U.S. manufactured, legacy military aircraft.
Capabilities extend beyond repairs to include:
- Tooling development
- Engineering design
- Fabrication
Components include, but are not limited to:
- Instruments
- Hydraulics
- Pneumatics
- Fuels
- Landing gear
- Wheels and brakes
- APU
- Mechanical accessories
- Electro-mechanical accessories
Repair Management: Leveraging in-house capabilities and qualified network of resources
Kellstrom Defense offers a full spectrum of repair capabilities to its customers.
Our dedicated group of experts have a combined experience of over seventy years in the aviation industry. We have established strategic alliances with Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) service centers around the world.
Advantages associated with a single point repair management solution:
- Single point of contact
- Regulatory administration
- Finance administration
- Warranty management
- Economies of scale
E&M
We offer engineering and manufacturing solutions designed to reduce traditional replacement costs and lead times of aging airframe components. Our experience on the F-5 platform encompasses both knowledge and capability across many of the airframe elements of the aircraft including the manufacture of numerous airframe components. This has afforded us substantial experience working within the parameters of the OEM’s quality and technical documentation, and enabled us to provide solutions for challenges unique to the F-5’s lifecycle.
The Kellstrom Defense 30G indicator fills a void for international F-5 operators and is a cost effective solution aiding in sustainment of the F-5 fleet. KD created its own technical design for the 30G indicators based on samples provided by one of its customers. The engineering team modeled all of the components using CAD modeling software and created its own test plan to qualify the units based on intelligence gathered from the end users. To date, KD has supplied 50+ indicators to the international military market with no reported defects.
Download PDFKellstrom Defense has created a proprietary system to repair damaged wings using the latest in manufacturing and inspection technology. KD designed and fabricated a Wing Repair Fixture that holds the wing in a secure position, allowing technicians to remove and replace the upper skin to gain access to the internal structure of the wing. The solution provides a cost effective methodology aiding in sustainment of the F-5 fleet. The program can be transferred to perform repairs on-site including locations outside of the United States.
Download PDFKellstrom Defense has invested in the development of a comprehensive Work Cell for the T-38 and F-5 canopy systems. KD’s manufacturing, repair and refurbishment capabilities offer complete solutions for canopy systems on the T-38 Talon and F-5 dual and single seat aircraft. Depending on the canopy’s condition, we offer minimum, medium and major repair and refurbishment options. Where canopy glass replacement is required, KD offers several improvement features including coatings that reduce heat build-up in the cockpit.
Program Management
In an effort to offer maximum benefits from our “Total Support” business model, we work with our Customers to establish short and long term program packages customized to specific sustainment requirements and budget limitations. Current programs include:
Contractor Logistics Support (CLS)
We offer our Customers comprehensive parts management for F-5 fleet sustainment in collaboration with their depot maintenance partners.
Rotable Repair Program
We offer rotable inventory management programs including exchange pools for systems and sub-systems: hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, fuel and engine, etc.
Life Extension/Sub-system Upgrades
We offer system modernizations designed to extend service life by replacing obsolete systems and components with modern solutions.
F-5 CAD PAD Management
Kellstrom Defense & TASK Aerospace utilize web based software system, RAMP, to manage and monitor CAD PAD service life. We also provide complete repair, overhaul and recertification of ejection seats.
Landing Gear Solutions
We offer complete gear repair & overhaul including critical spares support. We are also able to salvage BER components utilizing Cold Spray Technology.
A respected global leader for defense aircraft sustainment.
