Essex Industries Control Yoke and Column Assemblies for LM-100J

Essex Industries has received a contract from Lockheed Martin to supply control yoke and column assemblies for the LM-100J transport aircraft. The LM-100J is a commercial derivative of the military C-130J Super Hercules, with select design changes enabling it to perform as a civil multi-purpose air freighter.

Under this contract, Essex will manufacture and test the entire assembly, consisting of a Lockheed Martin-designed column and an Essex-designed control yoke, which is identical to that of the C-130J. This system handles pitch and roll flight control, as well as the control of various aircraft systems such as pitch trim, communications and other on-board avionics.

In addition to the C-130J and LM-100J, Essex also supports the Lockheed Martin F-16, F-22 and F-35 platforms.

New Ambidextrous Cursor Grip from Essex Industries

Essex Industries is proud to introduce its new Ambidextrous Cursor Grip.  Essex developed this design for applications where there is not sufficient room for both right and left slew grips.  This single control mounts on the console between the seats for use by both pilot and co-pilot.

This new ambidextrous design is suitable for use by the right or left hand and can be modified to fit other rotary or fixed wing platforms.

Essex also manufacturers the traditional right and left slew grips, mounted on the console to provide sensor control.

New Ergonomic Collective Grip from Essex Industries

Essex Industries is proud to introduce its new Ergonomic Collective Grip.  This patent-pending design incorporates additional switches to eliminate hand repositioning or dual seat inputs.  The grip’s unique shape provides the optimum hand position for long-range comfort, reducing fatigue during flight.

The new Ergonomic Collective Grip enables pilots to fly the aircraft while maintaining control of all electronic switch functions.  It comfortably puts more needed tasks at their fingertips.

Essex developed the Ergonomic Collective Grip for the UH-60 Black Hawk with eight different switches, including a Cursor Slew

Switch and HUD Switch, which are not typically available on a collective grip.

This new Ergonomic Collective Grip can be modified to fit any rotary platform and is particularly suited to those applications that require a wide range of functionality.  Switches can be changed, as needed, to include uses such as weapon or sensor control.

Essex Industries HOTAS Grips on F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

Essex Industries and Lockheed Martin have reached agreement on the next round of HOTAS (Hands-on Throttle and Stick) grip deliveries for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.  Production will extend through December 2022, with quantities expected to exceed 570 shipsets.

The F-35 is a 5th Generation fighter, combining aircraft characteristics of advanced stealth, integrated avionics, sensor fusion and superior logistics support with the most powerful and comprehensive integrated sensor package of any fighter aircraft in history.  Variants of the F-35 will replace fighters for the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps, and ten other countries around the world.

In addition to supplying the HOTAS grips, Essex also provides a series of valves for the F-35 fuel system.

Essex Industries Selected as Supplier for Bell V-280

Essex Industries has been selected as a supplier for the Bell V-280, which is proposed for the Department of Defense’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program.  The initial phase of this program will be a Joint Multi-Role Technical Demonstrator (JMR-TD), scheduled to see its first flight in 2017.

Essex is under contract for the JMR-TD sidestick and power lever grips as well as the pedestal assemblies.  Similar in design to those Essex supplies to Bell for the 525 Relentless, the V-280 grip assemblies have been modified to accommodate mission-specific functional requirements, while the pedestals are identical to the commercial 525.

According to Robert Geisz, Global Account Executive, “Our selection as supplier for the V-280 program extends both our strong relationship with Bell and Essex’ presence in the rotary-wing market.”

The Future Vertical Lift program is expected to ultimately replace 2,000 to 4,000 medium-class utility and attack helicopters.

Essex Industries is Supplier for F-35 JSF Program

F35_JSF_Stick&ThrottleEssex is pleased to announce their selection as a supplier for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter produced by Lockheed Martin.

The F-35 is a 5th Generation fighter, combining aircraft characteristics of advanced stealth, integrated avionics, sensor fusion and superior logistics support with the most powerful and comprehensive integrated sensor package of any fighter aircraft in history.  Variants of the F-35 will replace the A-10 and F-16 for the U.S. Air Force, the F/A-18 for the U.S. Navy, the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier for the U.S. Marine Corps, as well as a variety of fighters for ten other countries.

Essex received a contract for the design, development and manufacture of both the sidestick and throttle grip.  They are also supplying scavenge valves, which support optimum engine performance.

According to Robert Geisz, Vice President of Sales and Business Development, “Our selection as supplier for the F-35 program continues the dominance Essex has on major platforms in the fixed-wing market.”

Essex Industries Selected as Supplier for Bell 525 Relentless Program

Bell 525 Grip and Pedestal_(2x2)Essex is pleased to announce their selection as a supplier for the Bell 525 Relentless Program.

The New Bell 525 helicopter is due for first flight in 2014.  The aircraft is designed for markets that require larger helicopters with more range and a larger cargo/baggage hold.

This award provides Essex with a long-term contract for the design, development and manufacture of the pilot and copilot Cyclic and Collective Grip Assemblies as well as the complete Control Post Assemblies