Current projects

P-3K Orion

Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K Orion Fleet Upgrade

In 2005, we were awarded a subcontract to support the upgrade of the RNZAF's P3 Orion aircraft fleet. L-3 Communications Integrated Systems is priming the contract.

The first P-3 Orion aircraft life extension upgrade will be undertaken at L3's facilities in Greenville, Texas. The other five aircraft will be upgraded at Safe Air. The project involves upgrading the Orions’ mission systems and communications and navigation systems.

The P-3 Orions are used to undertake surveillance of New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone, provide surveillance assistance to Pacific Island countries, and conduct search and rescue operations. They also contribute to regional and global security and were deployed in 2005 to the Arabian Sea in support of the international campaign against terrorism.

Past projects

ANZAC Frigate Gun Containers and Modules (Tenix Defence Systems)

Since 1995, we have been subcontracted by Tenix Defence Systems to undertake the construction of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and fire control modules, bulk heads and doors for the ANZAC frigate programme for the Australian and New Zealand Navies. While all frigates are now in service we are frequently called on to manufacture replacement units. The type of work typically includes metal fabrication, aluminium welding, heavy structural work, wiring and finishing.

A4 Skyhawk

A4 Skyhawk Reactivation

Safe Air secured a contract from Advanced Training Systems International to reactivate 13 McDonnell Douglas A4 Skyhawks. The aircraft were sold by the Israel Ministry of Defence and were located in Israel. The project was to reactivate the aircraft, bay service the engines and support the transportation (flying) from Israel to the US.

Lockheed P-3 Autopilot Upgrade

Our Engineering Design Office completed the design intergration for the installation of the BAe Systems Digital Autopilot System into the RNZAF P-3 Orion fleet and subsequently amended the design to incorporate the RAAF TAP-3 Orion fleet. We then combined our mechanical fabrication, electrical harness fabrication and aircraft engineering capability to carry out all aspects of the installation of the autopilot into these fleets.

SH-2 Seasprite

Kaman Seasprite SH-2G Assembly, Modification and Activation

We played a key role in introducing the SH-2 Seasprite for the Royal New Zealand Air Force and the Super Seasprite for the Royal Australian Navy. Our role included manufacturing and restoring helicopter components, engineering design services, airframe and component assembly, Kaman International Support Centre manning, through life support, test flying and delivery.

A4 Skyhawk Avionic System Upgrade

This project was a subcontract from Smiths Industries for a complete navigation attack avionics upgrade for the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s 21 McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk aircraft. This 38-month project included stripping out the existing avionics, repair work and refitting with an up-to-date Lear Siegler navigation/attack/weapons system, cockpit avionics and self protection systems.