News in Brief

¡á Velcon Filters Inc. has been awarded a contract for a new Modular Fuel System (MFS) used by the U.S. Army. Velcon will supply the filter separator and monitor vessels to be used on each of the pumping modules. The complete system is designed as a portable and flexible modular design which is easily moved to a designated location and set up for fueling operations.

¡á Nexergy, a designer, integrator and manufacturer of battery packs and chargers, announces the completion of a new portable power system for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The unique high-reliability solar and battery powered system, developed in conjunction with SION Power Corporation, utilizes SION lithium sulfur battery cells in a custom battery pack complete with a sophisticated charging circuit. The new UAV is designed to eventually stay airborne for months at a time at altitudes exceeding 50,000 feet. In initial test flights, the new Nexergy/SION lithium sulfur portable power system increased the UAV¡¯s battery-operated flight time by 80 percent.

People in the News

¡á After 54 years of military and civil service, Howard L. McKellip has retired from the position of chief of training support flight for the 361st Training Squadron, 82d Training Group, 82d Training Wing at Sheppard AFB, Texas. While serving, he provided oversight, guidance and support for four flights at Sheppard AFB, Texas and two geographically separated units at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla. and Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., consisting of 53 courses and graduating more than 8,000 students annually. A native of Rock Island, Ill., McKellip has 27 years of civil service and is a retired Chief Master Sergeant with 26 ¨ö years in aircraft maintenance career fields.