Davis possesses or has access to all the design, manufacturing, and test facilities required to quickly develop IR suppressors for any aircraft type. Modern Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), structural analysis, IR signature prediction tools, and specialized simulation codes developed by Davis, allow for the efficient development of high performance and robust designs. Davis also maintains a Hot Gas Wind Tunnel (HGWT) on site, which is able to simulate engine exhaust flow conditions, and is used to test early prototype suppressor designs. In each design, Davis takes into consideration all the key integration issues like: aircraft vibration spectrum; ease of installation; maintenance access; fluid flows in and around the engine; and interoperability with other systems on the aircraft.

As part of the development process, engine test and shock and vibration qualification are performed in order to prepare the device for flight test. Davis has the expertise to plan the flight test, instrument the aircraft, and measure the platform IR signature. Davis has obtained FAA certification on several aircraft types, and is also an AS9100D and ISO 9001-2015 certified design and manufacturing facility.

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• CH-47 IRSS on T55 engine test cell

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• Bell 412 IRSS under manufacture

Davis IR suppressors reduce signature by cooling the exhaust plume and tailpipe metal, and obscuring the view to the hot engine machinery. Exhaust gas cooling is achieved with low backpressure ejectors, and metal temperature reduction is normally achieved with film cooling. Both of these techniques allow for passive designs with minimal power loss and low maintenance. The devices are also designed to minimize the impingement of the exhaust gases on the aircraft skin, which has the dual benefit of reducing IR signature and alleviating airframe structural fatigue.

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• IR camera image of unsuppressed Bell 407

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• IR camera image of suppressed Bell 407

The Davis Centre Body Tailpipe (CBT) is an IRSS device which uses a film cooled object in the centre of the exhaust flow to obstruct the view of hot engine machinery from any angle. The performance of the CBT has been optimized through an intensive internal research and development effort. The CBT can be adapted to most axial exhaust systems, and has so far been applied to the UH-1H, CH-47, CN-235, and AW-129 aircraft.

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• CH-47 Center Body Tailpipe

All Davis IR suppressors can be utilized as mission kits. The A-kit, which is the part permanently installed on the aircraft, is designed to minimize modifications to the aircraft, and the B-kit is designed for easy installation and removal.

As a specialist in the field of IR signature management, Davis has the unique capability to quickly produce high performance IR suppressors for any aircraft type. The application of proven technology, and a streamlined development process, enables the low risk production of a flight qualified IRSS device for a new aircraft type in about one year.

We are currently developing IR suppressors for several aircraft types, including the L-M C-130 tactical transport, the HAL Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), and the Beechcraft KingAir 200. Other types for which advanced concepts have been defined are the Agusta-Westland AW149 and AW101 helicopters.