Esterline Defense Technologies launches of new IRCM protective flares facility

Esterline Defense Technologies have unveiled Project Vulcan, the world’s newest dedicated facility for the production of infrared countermeasures (IRCM) flares in Middle Wallop, UK.

Once fully operational, the Vulcan project will be able to produce up to 450,000 aerial flares a year, more than doubling current production capacity at the Craydown Lane site.
 
Esterline Defense Technologies is a recognised world leader in the research, development and production of a wide range of advanced defensive pyrotechnic devices for use in airborne, naval and land-based applications by armed forces across the globe.  The decision to develop the Vulcan project was taken by the company in response to increased demand from the UK Ministry of Defence for 118/218 aerial flares and will create around 35 new jobs for local people in the area.
 
Following three years development and an investment in excess of £10.5 million, the construction and fit out of the new facility is now complete and production trials are currently being conducted. Designed and built to the TM5/1300 guidelines, the most stringent international standards for structures that are built to resist the effects of accidental explosions, the buildings are constructed of reinforced concrete and the entire facility has been set into the ground to minimise its visual impact on the surrounding area.
 
‘The development of the Vulcan project reaffirms our ongoing commitment to invest in the safest and most efficient facilities at our Middle Wallop site. By responding to the needs of the UK MoD we are helping to safeguard the lives of British aircrew around the world, whilst, in addition, providing more jobs for people in our local community,’ managing director John Taylor said.
 
The U shaped facility has been designed to minimise handling and transportation of the flares by allowing the sequential manufacture of the products from initial ‘taking in’ and mixing of the raw materials to their final assembly and packaging. By adopting this design ‘production miles’, the distance a product has to cover during its manufacture, have been reduced by 90%
 
The 118/218 IRCM flares that will be produced at the new facility, are fitted to many helicopters, transport and fighter aircraft around the globe. They provide protection for UK aircrew and passengers flying fast-jet, rotary and transport aircraft.

Source: Esterline Defense Technologies