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BusinessWire
May 08, 2006 07:23 AM US Pacific Timezone

Bell Helicopter Adopts IAC's Web-Based Machinery Diagnostics System for Bell 412 Aircraft Product Support; IAC-1047 Intelligent Machinery Diagnostics Server Becomes Part of the Backbone of Bell's World Class Customer Service Organization

American Helicopter Society's (AHS) 62nd Annual Forum and Technology Display

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 8, 2006--Intelligent Automation Corporation (IAC) (www.iac-online.com) announced today that Bell Helicopter has adopted the IAC-1047 Intelligent Machinery Diagnostic Server to support its growing fleet of Bell 412 helicopters equipped with IAC's Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS). IAC provides more HUMS for the world's largest helicopter operator (U.S. Army) and provides the core components for Bell Helicopter's latest HUMS offering. The announcement was made at the American Helicopter Society's (AHS) 62nd Annual Forum and Technology Display.

The IAC-1047 is an advanced Web-based software system that automatically collects diagnostic information from aircraft distributed throughout the world. The IAC-1047 supports the operator through automatic Web-based aircraft status displays and email-based fault notification. According to IAC Chief Executive officer Jeff Goodrich, "Bell Helicopter's Product Support Department now has a remarkable set of fleet analysis and trending tools at their fingertips. For the first time, Bell support personnel can analyze HUMS status and fault indications from a distributed fleet via the Internet. This feature allows Bell's #1 rated Customer Support Organization the ability to provide even faster response to customers than possible with earlier systems."

Bell Helicopter utilizes the IAC-1209 HUMS on their Bell 412 aircraft. The IAC-1209 on board diagnostics system and associated PC-GBS ground station software provide a complete aircraft vibration-based fault diagnostic capability at the aircraft and in the hanger. The Bell 412 IAC-1209 configuration monitors over 1,000 unique aircraft Condition Indicators (CIs). By adopting the IAC-1047 Web system, Bell is able to get an unprecedented view of helicopters operating in their natural environment. Automatic fleet trending and statistical data analysis tools allow each CI to be analyzed and compared against fleet averages. Limits can quickly be established or updated based for each aircraft component monitored based on fleet wide statistics.

The IAC-1047 has been in operation with the U.S. Army for the past four years supporting the AH-64 Apache, UH-60 Blackhawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters. This is a key technology that is supporting the Army's Helicopter Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) program. The Army's IAC-1047 system is supporting 180 military helicopters operating throughout the world including aircraft operating in the combat environment.

Goodrich explains: "The IAC-1047 is a key technology component that allows helicopters to fly safer and more economically than ever before. For the first time, the engineers at Bell Helicopter and the U.S. Army can easily find aircraft faults and negative fleet trends allowing problems to be proactively managed keeping these aircraft in the air."

IAC's aviation diagnostic technology was developed cooperatively with the U.S. Army as prime contractor for the Vibration Management Enhancement Program (VMEP). VMEP, one of the U.S. Army's digitally integrated, on-platform embedded health management capabilities programs, is installed on every Army helicopter model. It is used by the U.S. Army as one of the primary information sources for the Office of the Secretary of Defense's CBM+ Initiative.

Since its founding in 1999, IAC has grown by over 30 percent per year through research and development contracts and product development into one of the world's leading supplier of helicopter and turbine engine diagnostic products.

About Intelligent Automation Corporation (IAC)

Intelligent Automation Corporation (IAC) is a machinery diagnostics company with a unique blend of research, systems engineering, manufacturing, and field support expertise. Our products and technology add value for our customers by applying easy-to-understand, advanced technology solutions to complex problems that increase machinery availability, reduce operation costs, and improve safety. More information is available at www.iac-online.com.

 


 

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