AMETEK Aerospace & Defense has been selected by CESA (Compañia Española de Sistemas Aeronauticos, SA) to provide a group of sensors for the hydraulic system aboard Airbus A400M military airlifter. The sensor package includes level sensors, low-level warning switches, visual indicators, pressure transducers, and temperature sensors.

AMETEK Aerospace & Defense was selected for an expanded role aboard the A400M following its strong performance supplying CESA with hydraulic system level sensors for the Airbus A380 aircraft.

"We are delighted to be selected for this important European-based aircraft development program," said Wes Hardin, Vice President and General Manager of AMETEK Aerospace & Defense. "This represents added growth for AMETEK's sensing products and demonstrates our continued ability to support our European customers with high reliability aircraft sensors."

Located within the hydraulic reservoir, AMETEK's level sensors are based on proven capacitance technology used on A380. They are more accurate over a wider temperature range than other, similar sensors. Designed as "active probes" with built-in capacitance measurement circuits, they produce a robust DC voltage output signal. Units are packaged specifically for the installation with lengths chosen to fit the reservoir.

The pressure transducers selected for the A400M application incorporate AMETEK's patent-pending Silicon on Insulator (SOI) technology to provide highly accurate, highly stable pressure transducer performance over extended temperature ranges. With a variable voltage output, they contain a specially designed circuit with a voltage stop for fault detection.

The temperature sensors were also supplied for the A380 reservoir and are based on Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) technology. They provide a resistance output proportional to temperature. Low-Level Warning Switches contain robust reed-switch technology. As an added feature they are specifically designed to be insensitive to negative G movements, incorporating counter weights to prevent false indications of low-level condition. The visual indicators included in the package represent AMETEK's continued ability to supply a full reservoir system.

The Airbus A400M is an advanced military transporter initially designed to meet the requirements of seven European NATO nations (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom). The multi-role military aircraft is designed to perform strategic and tactical missions as well as in-flight refueling operations. The first A400M aircraft is expected to fly in early 2008 with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2009.