Conekt, the engineering consultancy arm of TRW Automotive, today announced that it has received full UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accreditation for its aerospace indirect lightning and high intensity radiated field (HIRF) test facilities.

Completing its one million euro investment in free-field HIRF (to 3kV/m) and high intensity lightning strike test systems, Conekt's aerospace "Centre of Excellence" now offers a market-leading breadth of accredited aerospace electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) test services in the UK, meeting specific requirements from the industry's major clients.

Chris Tarling, business manager, for Conekt's Engineering Services, commented: "Accreditation by UKAS demonstrates the competence, impartiality and performance capability of Conekt. Until now, the requirements for HIRF testing in particular have driven the use of facilities outside of the UK, or time consuming test techniques.

"The recent investment in new equipment has bridged this gap, creating a facility that is fully capable of cost effectively meeting DO-160E as well as Airbus and Joint Strike Fighter requirements on one site. The UKAS accreditation demonstrates our commitment to become the foremost aerospace validation centre in the UK. Both our HIRF and lightning facilities are fully-mobile, enabling Conekt to support testing where it is not practical to move the client's product."

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service is the sole national accreditation body recognised by government to assess, against internationally agreed standards, organisations that provide certification, testing, inspection and calibration services.

Conekt's scope for accreditation includes induced lightning testing for RTCA/DO-160E, EUROCAE ED84, Boeing D6-16050-5, Airbus ABD0100.1.2 and FAA AC20-136.