13th Nov 2009 07:00
13 November 2009
UPDATE - US Government Investigation of Conax
As previously announced on 16 July, Cobham was made aware of a US Government investigation into SEAWARS - a water-activated release mechanism used by military aviators as part of their personal safety and survivability gear - designed and manufactured by Conax, a Cobham Life Support business based in St. Petersburg, Florida. Cobham is fully co-operating with the Government's investigation and the business continues to operate as usual.
A non-conforming microchip was discovered by a customer during acceptance testing of a recent shipment of SEAWARS products prior to fielding. The single SEAWARS product with a non-conforming microchip operated as designed when eventually tested by Cobham and a US Government agency. Cobham instigated its own parallel assessment of the specifications, manufacture and origin of parts used in the manufacture and assembly of this product and after four months of extensive investigation and testing, Cobham Life Support has identified that a limited quantity of a non-conforming microchips have been introduced into the supply chain for the SEAWARS product.
The non-conforming microchip was supplied by an electronics components broker that has also sourced components to the US Government. The microchip passed multiple levels of rigorous internal tests and evaluation as part of an established quality assurance regime. All parts were supplied under a Certificate of Conformance by the electronics components supplier. There have been no known SEAWARS failures due to this non-conforming microchip.
As a precautionary measure, Cobham Life Support in St. Petersburg has informed its customers that there is the potential presence of a non-conforming microchip in SEAWARS products fielded since 2005 and is recommending the replacement of SEAWARS products that may be affected. An advisory notice has also been submitted to the Government Industry Data Exchange Program to alert industry and the US Government of the suspect part.
Cobham Life Support in St. Petersburg specialises in life support and personal survival equipment including crew restraints, flotation gear, gas storage and release systems, crew and cargo release mechanisms. It had 2008 revenue of US$96m, representing just over 3% of Group revenue. Further announcements will be made as appropriate.
Contacts:
Greg Caires Julian Hellebrand
Media Relations Group Director of Communications
+1 703 414 5319 +44 (0) 1202 857651
[email protected] julian.hellebrand@cobham.com
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