About Thin Film Technology Corp.

Thin Film Technology Corporation is an electronic component manufacturer specializing in
thin film technology. For over twenty years we have used thin film as the springboard to
devise innovative component technologies. Thin film processing itself is a skilled art, and
in combination with advanced manufacturing technologies, the creation of product
technologies that were once only dreams can be achieved.
The art of combination. . . the essence of Thin Film Technology. Since 1980 Thin Film
Technology has been designing and manufacturing thin film components in an ISO9001
and ISO14000 registered factory. From this factory quality products serving the computer,
test equipment, telecommunication, medical and automotive markets are shipped
worldwide.
Established in 1979 in North Mankato, Minnesota, by Susumu Co., Ltd. of Japan. For over
40 years, Susumu has provided affordable thin film components to the high technology
markets, and Thin Film Technology follows in that same tradition. Thin Film Technology
maintains the view that thin film components do not need to be expensive. Through
common sense manufacturing methods, affordable, high performance products can be
obtained. Against this unique approach, Thin Film Technology sees each customer need as a
challenge, one to provide only the finest in affordable performance thin film products.

Airborne Days Showcases Parachute Technology to Allied Military Audience

Eloy, AZ (February 15, 2009) Airborne Systems Group, which has combined the world’s leading parachute brands specializing in aerial delivery, rescue and survival equipment, and engineering services, held a unique two day parachute technology event, demonstrating some of the world’s most advanced aerial delivery products.

“Airborne Days II” showcased the latest in non-steerable, steerable and ram-air troop parachute systems. Demonstrations were also provided for precision cargo delivery and search and rescue systems. The event allowed allied militaries from around the world to participate in a specialized, hands-on educational format where qualified airborne military personnel were encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to test jump new state-of the art parachute systems made available from the company. Military personnel from 19 different countries made jumps with a variety of equipment.

Attendees marveled at the precision demonstration of the Airborne Systems MicroFlyTM and FireFlyTM JPADS (Joint Precision Air Drop Systems) which use GPS (Global Positioning Systems) to “steer” the cargo to a specific target location. These JPADS systems are revolutionizing troop re-supply in remote hazardous locations as they can be dropped from altitudes and locations well out the range of small arms fire. The company has developed a series of these precision cargo delivery systems for use with varying weights and sizes using the same software platform. With this “family” approach, the user interface on the Autonomous Guidance Units and the Mission Planer are identical across the various models of precision guided cargo delivery products.

One of the new troop parachutes featured was the T-11 advanced tactical parachute system. The T-11 is the world’s most advanced non-steerable parachute system and is slated to replace the US Army’s aging T-10 series of non-steerable troop parachutes in use since the 1950’s. The T-11 is designed to carry more weight, reduce opening shock and reduce impact energy upon landing to lessen the potential for injury. Another new technology shown on interactive display was the U.S. Army’s latest steerable troop parachute, the MC-6 system which is being fielded to replace the U.S. Army’s MC1-1 series of steerable troop parachutes. Like the T-11, the new MC-6 has reduced opening shock, less oscillation and reduces impact energy upon landing

Several high performance military parachutes were also featured. These included the Hi Glide HAHO (High Altitude, High Opening) system which has the highest gliding capability available and has been adopted by the U.S. Marine Corps, along with the Raider/Intruder System currently under evaluation as a candidate for the replacement of the U.S. Army’s MC-4 Ram Air Parachute System. A static demonstration was also provided for the ARK (Aerial Rescue Kit) and SPARK (Small Pack Response Kit) which are the latest technologies used in aerial delivery rescue and survival equipment.

“We really felt this was a great opportunity to learn about products and have a better understanding of how they perform; something we can’t get in a brochure” said a Special Forces attendee who asked not to be named.

Asignatura: CAF.
Alumno: Juan José Núñez Ceballos
Fuente: http://www.airborne-sys.com/press.htm

Airborne Systems Celebrates 90th Anniversary of Irvin’s Historic Parachute Jump

Santa Ana, CA (April 19, 2009) Airborne Systems Group, which has combined the world’s leading parachute brands specializing in aerial delivery, rescue and survival equipment, and engineering services, today marked the 90th anniversary of the historic parachute jump by Leslie Irvin, who later pioneered an entire parachute industry.

Born near Los Angeles, Irvin started a ballooning and parachuting career in 1911 while in his early teens. In 1915, Irvin joined the Universal Film Company as a stunt man for the fledging Californian film industry where he performed acrobatics on trapezes from balloons and made descents using parachutes. His experience as a stunt man contributed to his later belief that a jumper in a free fall descent would not lose consciousness.

On April 19, 1919, Leslie Leroy Irvin, made the world’s first premeditated free fall parachute descent using a rip cord, rather than using a canister or tether line attached to the aircraft to pull open the parachute. Working with the US Army’s Air Service parachute research team, Irvin made the historic jump from a plane over McCook field near Dayton, Ohio. During the jump, Irvin broke his ankle but was inspired to start his own parachute business.

Later that year, he opened the Irvin Air Chute Company in Buffalo, NY. What became known as the Irvin parachute gained rapid acceptance, and by the early 1930's was in service with some 40 air forces around the world. With the start of World War II, Irvin became a major manufacturer of parachutes. During the war, Irvin parachutes saved over 10,000 lives. The Irvin name had set the standard for innovation, reliability, and quality.

As a humanitarian, Irvin was obsessed with saving lives with his equipment. He founded the Caterpillar Club to recognize individuals that had their lives saved by a parachute. Today, the Caterpillar Club is one of the most famous flying clubs in the world and has awarded thousands of airmen, and a few airwomen with a gold caterpillar pin, symbolizing the silk from which early parachutes were made. Some of its famous members included names such as Charles Lindberg, General James Doolittle and former astronaut John Glenn.

Irvin’s design innovations weren’t limited to parachutes. With aircraft flying at increasing altitudes, pilots were subjected to lowering temperatures. To address this requirement, Irvin designed and manufactured the classic leather and sheepskin RAF flying jacket which became recognized during the Second World War.

In later years, Irvin’s company also made car seat belts, slings for cargo handling and even canning machinery. The company later changed its name to Irvin Aerospace to reflect the change to the newer markets it served. Today, Irvin Aerospace is a brand of Airborne Systems, a leading designer and one of the world’s largest manufacturers of parachutes and related equipment.

“Leslie Irvin was a parachute pioneer and a true American hero” said Paul Colliver, a 50 year employee of the Irvin Company who worked for Leslie Irvin. “How many people can say they made something that saved tens of thousands of lives?”

Asignatura: CAF.
Alumno: Juan José Núñez Ceballos
Fuente: http://www.airborne-sys.com/press.htm

Richard Smallwood Named Executive VP, Customer Business at Airborne Systems

Pennsauken, NJ (June 23, 2009) Airborne Systems Group, a company specializing in aerial delivery, rescue and survival equipment, and engineering services, announced that Richard J. Smallwood has been named Executive Vice President of Customer Business for the company. He will operate at Group level as a member of the Senior Management Team and will be responsible for all sales and marketing activity worldwide. His primary focus will be to continue the growth of the company by leveraging the products and overall capabilities while continuing to improve the company’s customer focus.

“Richard brings an exceptional background of global sales and marketing experience with some of the world’s most respected aerospace companies,” Elek Puskas, CEO said in making the announcement. “We are confident that Richard’s expertise and leadership skills will continue to position Airborne Systems as the preeminent market leader in the design and manufacture of parachutes and related products, while maintaining our aggressive growth rate," he added.

Richard has a wealth of experience in international sales and marketing gained mainly in the aerospace and marine industry. He spent 22 years with Rolls-Royce plc holding a number of senior executive positions including Senior Vice President, Airlines and Business Director, Marine Systems. During his time at Rolls-Royce he also spent three years based in Germany as Managing Director, Business for the joint venture BMW Rolls. Prior to Rolls-Royce, he was with BAE Systems where he worked on both civil and military aircraft programmes. He has an honours degree in Production Engineering from Aston University and an MBA from Cranfield School of Management (University).

Asignatura: CAF.
Alumno: Juan José Núñez Ceballos
Fuente: http://www.airborne-sys.com/press.htm

NASA Astronaut Visits Airborne Systems Space and Recovery Facility

Santa Ana, CA July 17 - Airborne Systems Group, which has combined the world's leading parachute brands specializing in aerial delivery, rescue and survival equipment, and engineering services, announced that its Airborne Systems North America Space and Recovery Group today hosted a visit by NASA astronaut Barry Wilmore, who is scheduled for an November 2009 Space Shuttle launch to deliver two Express Logistics Carriers (ELC racks) to the International Space Station. The upcoming mission will also feature four spacewalks and will bring Canadian astronaut, Robert Thirsk back to earth.

"NASA wanted our employees to hear firsthand how the products we make directly impact the safety of our NASA astronauts flying in space," said Peter Johnson, General Manager of the Space and Recovery Group. "Captain Wilmore's shuttle flight will be facilitated by straps manufactured at Airborne Systems in Santa Ana. The straps were added to Shuttle Reusable Solid Rocket Motors (RSRM) following the Challenger disaster in 1986. These straps secure heaters to the joint regions of the RSRM, providing proper thermal conditions for launch.

Today's visit was supported by ATK Space Systems, the producer of the RSRM. It included a tour of the facility and a presentation by Captain Wilmore to all employees followed by a questions and answer period.

The space shuttle is scheduled to be retired in 2010 and will be replaced by a rocket / capsule design. The future NASA vehicle called Orion / ARES is being supported by both Airborne and ATK. The current space shuttle landing brake parachutes were also manufactured by Airborne Systems.

Asignatura: CAF.
Alumno: Juan José Núñez Ceballos
Fuente: http://www.airborne-sys.com/press.htm

Airborne Systems low cost aerial delivery parachute provides “drop and forget” solution in hostile terrains.

DSEi London Excel (Stand 176) - September 8th 2009 – Airborne Systems Canada announces that the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) has procured an undisclosed, but significant number of low cost aerial delivery parachutes, the “Unicross”, for “drop-and-forget” missions in Afghanistan.

The cruciform shaped Unicross system is specifically designed for any tactical situation that makes recovery of the chute either too dangerous or economically unfeasible. It reduces the need for logistical convoys and lessens unnecessary exposure of friendly troops and land vehicles to IEDs (improvised explosive devices).

The Unicross family of parachutes replaces the conventional cargo parachutes such as the G-11, G-12, G14 and T-10 (expired personnel canopy used for cargo) and provides a low cost solution to supply missions. As an example of savings achieved the 2,200 lb (1,000kg) version is around 40 per cent cheaper that the current in-service G-12 cargo parachute. With a price of around one US dollar per pound of weight carried, it is available in 150 lb (70kg), 500 lb (230kg), 2,200 lb (1,000kg) and 5,000 lb (2,300kg) configurations. A cluster of two, three and four separate Unicross parachutes on the same load can increase the weight carrying capacity potentially up to 10,000 pounds.

Made up of between 5 and 33 polypropylene, hand-tied panels, modularity is a key feature of the Unicross system - individual panels can be replaced quickly if torn or damaged and despite being primarily designed for single use, the parachutes can, if recovered, be repacked and re-used.

Operated by static line, the Unicross family of systems exhibits rates of descent (RoD) ranging between 25 and 32 feet (7.5m to 9.75m) per second and achieving 90 feet (27.5m) per second in its high velocity (HV) configuration. The HV configuration of the Unicross makes it a superior alternative to other systems because of the ability of the parachute to effectively decelerate prior to landing, thus increasing the payload survivability and accuracy for critical missions. In addition, this higher rate of descent improves the ballistic accuracy of the canopy. This set-up allows also cargo to be used in HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) operations, a technique favored by special operations forces for covert mission.

Elizabeth Johnson, Senior Vice President, Customer Business Team at Airborne Systems North America comments:” The low cost and modular features of the Unicross make it a very cost effective piece of equipment, supporting the modern day armed forces in operation in the remote corners of the world.

Asignatura: CAF.
Alumno: Juan José Núñez Ceballos
Fuente: http://www.airborne-sys.com/press.htm

Airborne Systems precision airdrop system is rolled out across all US Military Forces.

DSEi, London - September 8, 2009 - Airborne Systems announced the full adoption by the US Department of Defense (DoD) of one of its family of Joint Precision Airdrop Systems (JPADS). The JPADS 2K, based on the Airborne Systems FireFly is a GPS guided parachute system capable of carrying payloads of up to 2,200 lb (1000kg) that can be dropped from altitudes up to 25,000 ft (7600m). Using a steerable ram air parachute, the JPADS 2K can fly itself to a target up to 25 kilometres away, and land accurately at the designated target.

Airborne Systems JPADS enhances the operational capabilities for armed forces whilst minimising risk to personnel and equipment during resupply operations. JPADS avoids the need for vehicle convoys and reduces risk to aircrews delivering supplies, and to units on the ground. Compared to the round parachutes used for conventional airdrop, JPADS can also decrease flight hours required for resupply missions as cargo can be delivered to different units at different locations from a common release point along a single flight path.

The JPADS 2K has been in operational theatres with the DoD for over a year as part of an Urgent Material Release, performing successful resupply missions to remote and hazardous locations. Ric Allison, Senior Vice president, Customer Business Airborne Systems Europe comments, "JPADS is a significant advantage to the user. Its technology means that a unit can receive supplies and equipment in almost any weather condition, at any location, without the need to use helicopters and put aircrew and additional soldiers at risk."

The JPADS 2K Program is managed by Product Manager - Force Sustainment Systems (PM-FSS), located at the US Army Natick Soldier Systems Center at Natick, Massachusetts. PM-FSS is currently fielding the JPADS 2K to US forces. In addition to the JPADS 2K Program, PM-FSS also manages the JPADS 10K program which uses the Airborne Systems DragonFlyTM system.

Airborne Systems has sold more than 850 JPADS 2K and FireFlyTM systems to US and International users with substantial orders expected over the next few years. Due to its performance, reliability, and ease of use, the Airborne Systems JPADS 2K is now the most widely fielded precision airdrop system in the world.

Asignatura: CAF.
Alumno: Juan José Núñez Ceballos
Fuente: http://www.airborne-sys.com/press.htm