Plextek to develop light aircraft for Malaysian aviation industry

Cambridge, UK, 2nd December 2009: Plextek, the Cambridge-based electronics and communications design consultancy, today announced a technical agreement with Aremeca Sendirian Berhad and Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (UniKL MIAT). The agreement signals commencement of the first phase of a USD 14 million programme to develop a Malaysian light aircraft in line with the Third Malaysian Industrial Master Plan (IMP3). The agreement was signed today at Lima 09, Malaysia’s biggest trade show for the aerospace industry, witnessed by Dato’ Zulkifli Abdul, Chairman of UniKL. Plextek will be responsible for the technological development of the light aircraft architecture, from the communications system and flight controls through to the engine and sensor integration, to enable the entire supply chain to be established in the country. The company is vastly experienced in aeronautical engineering and the design of defence and aerospace electronics. Plextek's team of consultants combine extensive expertise in software and hardware design, research and development of unmanned air systems, air vehicle propulsion, system integration, simulation and modeling and prototype trials and demonstrations. At the Paris Air Show in June 2009, Plextek launched its own advanced, lightweight Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV engine utilising an innovative supercharger design to help maintain engine power at higher altitudes. The aircraft will be tested and built at UniKL MIAT’s impressive facilities that include wind tunnels and hangars. Aremeca will play the major role in the new aircraft commercialisation. Aremeca Sendirian Berhad, a company in the Aeronautical Resources and Engineering Development sectors, is currently registered under the UniKL Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (UniKL MIAT) Technology Incubator. Universiti Teknikal MARA Sendirian Berhad is a company incorporated for the purpose of managing Universiti Kuala Lumpur. UniKL is a private institution offering Engineering Technology programmes covering such industries as aviation, aerospace, marine, medical electronics and many others. “This is going to be a very exciting project and one which we’re delighted to be involved in. It is a great platform to showcase Plextek’s experience in managing products through the entire cycle from conception and detailed design to manufacture and supply, and will draw heavily on our broad expertise in electronics, communications and aeronautical engineering,” said Ian Murphy, Technical Director, Plextek. “Ultimately, the aircraft we develop will provide an invaluable asset to Malaysia where it will be used in a wide range of applications from border security, through to monitoring coastal erosion and countering piracy”. “This collaboration will enhance UniKL’s capability in research and development through having access to Plextek's expertise,” said Professor Dato’ Dr. Abdul Hakim Juri, President / CEO of UniKL. “We also look forward to the possibility of Post Graduate programmes in the Aerospace Engineering with the support of Adjunct Faculty from Plextek”. “The signing of this Technical Agreement will mark the beginning of Aremeca’s journey towards becoming a leading contender in the global aerospace supply chain in line with the objectives of the IMP3,” said General Dato’ Seri Panglima Mohd Azumi (rtd), Chairman of Aremeca Sendirian Berhad. “We are confident that with our two partners, UniKL and Plextek, this collaboration will be successful.”