Liquid Measurement Systems, Inc. announced that they reached a long-term supplier agreement with MD Helicopters, Inc., of Mesa, Arizona. Under this agreement, LMS will be supplying the fuel quantity measurement system for the 500 series helicopters, consisting of lightweight and durable carbon composite fuel probes as well as signal conditioners that calculate fuel quantity and detect high and low fuel levels.

This production agreement follows LMS’ successful completion of a contract to design and qualify a new crash-resistant fuel gauging system for new deliveries of the MD 500 series.

The crash-resistant fuel system is rigorously designed to prevent the fuel compartment from rupturing in the event of a crash or hard landing -- and the post-crash fire that can occur when fuel and fuel vapor escape and ignite, making an otherwise survivable crash fatal.

LMS’ in-tank fuel probes are one of the few such systems on the market made from carbon fiber, which makes them the lightest in the industry, and virtually immune to corrosion, cracking, dents, or other impacts of field or environmental conditions. LMS’ probes are also designed to buckle on impact of crash, which keeps them from puncturing the fuel compartment and causing fuel to escape, and a postcrash fire that can occur when fuel and fuel vapor escape and ignite, making an otherwise survivable crash fatal.

“LMS is pleased to move from design and qualification into production on the MD 500 series,” said LMS President Scott Fewell. “We are committed to supporting MDH and its customers with the highest levels of on-time-delivery and quality assurance.”