Enabling the Extraordinary
for 170 years
Enabling the Extraordinary
for 170 years
Enabling the Extraordinary
for 170 years
1850
Up and away
Two Italian craftsmen emigrate to Great Britain and established Negretti & Zambra. They went on to create some of the world’s earliest aviation instruments for hot air balloons, including the first altimeter.
1850
Up and away
Two Italian craftsmen emigrate to Great Britain and established Negretti & Zambra. They went on to create some of the world’s earliest aviation instruments for hot air balloons, including the first altimeter.
1904
Bright sparks
Sir Oliver Lodge transformed development of electric spark plugs for cars. His two sons, Alec and Brodie, begin to produce them in Birmingham, Great Britain, making it much easier for drivers to start the primitive cars of that time.
1904
Bright sparks
Sir Oliver Lodge transformed development of electric spark plugs for cars. His two sons, Alec and Brodie, begin to produce them in Birmingham, Great Britain, making it much easier for drivers to start the primitive cars of that time.
1940
Fighting for freedom
Meggitt supplied the gun-firing system for Spitfire and Hurricane fighter aircraft in WW2. One fitted to a Spitfire dug up from an Irish peat bog in 2011 was still able to fire the aircraft's Browning machine-gun 70 years after the plane had crash landed.
1960
Mach 3 ... and holding steady
Meggitt produced microwave cables for the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aeroplane, still the world’s fastest aircraft. Today, our silicon-dioxide insulated communication cabling can be found on almost every extreme environment platform from aircraft and missiles to GPS satellites, ships and submarines.
1960
Mach 3 ... and holding steady
Meggitt produced microwave cables for the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aeroplane, still the world’s fastest aircraft. Today, our silicon-dioxide insulated communication cabling can be found on almost every extreme environment platform from aircraft and missiles to GPS satellites, ships and submarines.
1967
Fuel for the space race
Meggitt produced the world’s largest aerospace valve. It controlled the flow of more than 130,000 litres of fuel a minute on the Saturn V space rocket as it launched US astronauts into space.
1969
Power for the giant leap
A critical heat exchanger built by Meggitt was onboard the NASA lunar module which landed on the surface of the moon.
1967
Fuel for the space race
Meggitt produced the world’s largest aerospace valve. It controlled the flow of more than 130,000 litres of fuel a minute on the Saturn V space rocket as it launched US astronauts into space.
1969
Power for the giant leap
A critical heat exchanger built by Meggitt was onboard the NASA lunar module which landed on the surface of the moon.
1973
Touch down for Concorde
Meggitt produced carbon brakes for Concorde, saving some 500kg in weight compared to steel brakes and lasting much longer in service. Meggitt had around 3,000 additional components onboard the supersonic jet.
1974
Saving lives in war
Meggitt pioneered the self-sealing, crashworthy fuel tank to save lives of helicopter crew during the Vietnam War. Some 200,000 have been installed on helicopters, virtually putting an end to deaths caused by post-crash fires. Some 50 years later, 1,000 have been fitted to US Army fighting vehicles, protecting soldiers from fuel fires caused by explosives in Iraq and Afghanistan.
1974
Saving lives in war
Meggitt pioneered the self-sealing, crashworthy fuel tank to save lives of helicopter crew during the Vietnam War. Some 200,000 have been installed on helicopters, virtually putting an end to deaths caused by post-crash fires. Some 50 years later, 1,000 have been fitted to US Army fighting vehicles, protecting soldiers from fuel fires caused by explosives in Iraq and Afghanistan.
1983
Accurate to 200,000G
Meggitt pioneered an accelerometer capable of handling forces 200,000 times the force of gravity—compare the 3G astronauts typically experience on lift off. This accelerometer accurately measures the power of explosions, calculating how they will affect buildings.
1983
Accurate to 200,000G
Meggitt pioneered an accelerometer capable of handling forces 200,000 times the force of gravity—compare the 3G astronauts typically experience on lift off. This accelerometer accurately measures the power of explosions, calculating how they will affect buildings.
1985
A new chapter in braking
Meggitt’s pioneering digital brake-by-wire system for the Gulfstream IV brought simpler design and lower weight to braking, replacing traditional mechanical and hydraulic components with electronic controls.
1985
A new chapter in braking
Meggitt’s pioneering digital brake-by-wire system for the Gulfstream IV brought simpler design and lower weight to braking, replacing traditional mechanical and hydraulic components with electronic controls.
1989
Compact but very powerful
Meggitt’s unique diffusion-bonded heat exchanger design won its first offshore gas customer. Up to six times smaller than traditional shell and tube designs and 100 times less likely to develop a leak, they were the perfect choice for offshore energy platforms where space, safety and high performance are at a premium.
1989
Compact but very powerful
Meggitt’s unique diffusion-bonded heat exchanger design won its first offshore gas customer. Up to six times smaller than traditional shell and tube designs and 100 times less likely to develop a leak, they were the perfect choice for offshore energy platforms where space, safety and high performance are at a premium.
1991
Setting the pace
The first piezoelectric accelerometer for heart pacemakers was developed by Meggitt. Its small size and extreme accuracy helped millions of people suffering from abnormal heart rhythms, adjusting heart rate to their level of physical activity. Now used in most pacemakers worldwide, it has never failed once implanted.
1991
Setting the pace
The first piezoelectric accelerometer for heart pacemakers was developed by Meggitt. Its small size and extreme accuracy helped millions of people suffering from abnormal heart rhythms, adjusting heart rate to their level of physical activity. Now used in most pacemakers worldwide, it has never failed once implanted.
1994
Fuel for thought
Meggitt’s wing cavity sealant kept essential military aircraft flying by stopping chronic fuel leakage in high-stress zones. Some 30% lighter and 10 times stronger than other formulations, its very long-life and significantly lower weight also cut the cost of maintenance dramatically while saving fuel.
1994
Fuel for thought
Meggitt’s wing cavity sealant kept essential military aircraft flying by stopping chronic fuel leakage in high-stress zones. Some 30% lighter and 10 times stronger than other formulations, its very long-life and significantly lower weight also cut the cost of maintenance dramatically while saving fuel.
1995
Digitising the cockpit
Meggitt developed space-saving digital aircraft cockpit instruments. These replaced traditional dials with easy-to-read, three-inch screen that gives multiple measurements—altitude, attitude, airspeed and heading.
1995
Digitising the cockpit
Meggitt developed space-saving digital aircraft cockpit instruments. These replaced traditional dials with easy-to-read, three-inch screen that gives multiple measurements—altitude, attitude, airspeed and heading.
2005
Big data comes of age
Our most advanced condition-based vibration monitoring system extend into service on the Airbus A380, and took it to greater heights providing the most detailed pictures of engine condition ever achieved. Data from over 30 sensors were analysed continuously to detect anomalies and predict when maintenance is required. It has helped to protect multi-million dollar engines, ensure aircraft are always ready to fly, and cut fuel bills and emissions.
2005
Big data comes of age
Our most advanced condition-based vibration monitoring system extend into service on the Airbus A380, and took it to greater heights providing the most detailed pictures of engine condition ever achieved. Data from over 30 sensors were analysed continuously to detect anomalies and predict when maintenance is required. It has helped to protect multi-million dollar engines, ensure aircraft are always ready to fly, and cut fuel bills and emissions.
2009
First commercial Ebrake®
Bombardier’s C-Series was the first airliner to be fitted with an Ebrake®. Combining brake-by-wire technology with an electro-mechanical operating system, the Ebrake® was smaller and more efficient than hydraulic brake systems but still delivered the necessary high performance: stopping a 60+ ton, 200mph aircraft in under 1000m can raise brake stack temperatures to 2000°C.
2009
First commercial Ebrake®
Bombardier’s C-Series was the first airliner to be fitted with an Ebrake®. Combining brake-by-wire technology with an electro-mechanical operating system, the Ebrake® was smaller and more efficient than hydraulic brake systems but still delivered the necessary high performance: stopping a 60+ ton, 200mph aircraft in under 1000m can raise brake stack temperatures to 2000°C.
2010
Pumped and ready for action
Next-generation tyre pressure monitoring system developed for Bombardier C-Series. It alerted ground crew when tyre pressure needed adjusting, cutting maintenance time and extending tyre life. Incorrectly inflated tyres wear out faster, use more fuel and, if they burst, endanger lives and risk millions of dollars in damage. Transmitting data wirelessly makes the system lighter and more reliable.
2010
Pumped and ready for action
Next-generation tyre pressure monitoring system developed for Bombardier C-Series. It alerted ground crew when tyre pressure needed adjusting, cutting maintenance time and extending tyre life. Incorrectly inflated tyres wear out faster, use more fuel and, if they burst, endanger lives and risk millions of dollars in damage. Transmitting data wirelessly makes the system lighter and more reliable.
2011
Saving sight, treating cancer
Piezoceramic components developed by Meggitt enabled a new medical technology for treating hard-to-reach cancer tumours and glaucoma—the second biggest cause of blindness affecting 60 million people worldwide.
High intensity focused ultrasound, as it’s known, can target and heat tissue with great accuracy. A three-minute procedure reduces pressure on the optic nerve within the eyeball—the cause of blindness in glaucoma.
2011
Saving sight, treating cancer
Piezoceramic components developed by Meggitt enabled a new medical technology for treating hard-to-reach cancer tumours and glaucoma—the second biggest cause of blindness affecting 60 million people worldwide.
High intensity focused ultrasound, as it’s known, can target and heat tissue with great accuracy. A three-minute procedure reduces pressure on the optic nerve within the eyeball—the cause of blindness in glaucoma.
2013
Best for stability and power
Securaplane launched System Lithium, a set of very small and extremely stable low-output battery cells integrated with a sophisticated monitoring and management package. Based on a combination of optimal chemistry, well-designed structures and state-of-the-art health management systems, it’s as safe as conventional batteries, yet lighter and more powerful by far.
2013
Best for stability and power
Securaplane launched System Lithium, a set of very small and extremely stable low-output battery cells integrated with a sophisticated monitoring and management package. Based on a combination of optimal chemistry, well-designed structures and state-of-the-art health management systems, it’s as safe as conventional batteries, yet lighter and more powerful by far.
2014
World-beating composites
Meggitt manufactured one of the world’s first rotating load-bearing composite parts for a jet engine. The flow path spacer improved efficiency on the world’s most powerful turbofan engine. A triumph in design analysis, engineering, tooling, processing and testing, it’s half the weight and cost of the original titanium unit.
2015
This is Pluto calling ...
The New Horizons probe beamed back the first close-up images of Pluto through our microwave cables. They performed perfectly even after a 10-year, three-billion-mile voyage to the outer reaches of the Solar System. Data enabled detailed studies of icy methane clouds, frozen nitrogen glaciers and newly discovered mountain ranges.
2015
This is Pluto calling ...
The New Horizons probe beamed back the first close-up images of Pluto through our microwave cables. They performed perfectly even after a 10-year, three-billion-mile voyage to the outer reaches of the Solar System. Data enabled detailed studies of icy methane clouds, frozen nitrogen glaciers and newly discovered mountain ranges.
2015
Quieter, lighter, simpler
Meggitt engineers from the group’s international leadership programme used 3D printing to develop a radical bleed air valve design. High pressure air travelling through traditional bleed air valves is one of the biggest causes of noise at landing and take-off. The valve used a fir-cone design to cut noise and weight.
2015
Quieter, lighter, simpler
Meggitt engineers from the group’s international leadership programme used 3D printing to develop a radical bleed air valve design. High pressure air travelling through traditional bleed air valves is one of the biggest causes of noise at landing and take-off. The valve used a fir-cone design to cut noise and weight.
2016
Signed up for Mars
New integrated electronic piezoelectric accelerometer (IEPE) was commissioned for NASA’s Space Launch System—it was the most powerful rocket in history that aimed to put humans on Mars. It measured vibration caused by combustion instability inside the rocket’s liquid oxygen tanks. Pogo oscillation, as this kind of vibration is known, troubled both Apollo 6 and 13 and in extreme cases can rupture a rocket’s structure.
2020
Leading the way
Meggitt’s optical sensing technology entered into service and continues to lead the way in control and monitoring solutions for power generation. Our optical sensing provided significant advantages over traditional sensing technologies. It enabled the measurement of a larger range of frequencies and provides much better stability for high and low frequency dynamics.
Through our extensive expertise, our pioneering optical sensing technology is supporting our customers’ goals of achieving uninterrupted flexible power supply.
2020
Leading the way
Meggitt’s optical sensing technology entered into service and continues to lead the way in control and monitoring solutions for power generation. Our optical sensing provided significant advantages over traditional sensing technologies. It enabled the measurement of a larger range of frequencies and provides much better stability for high and low frequency dynamics.
Through our extensive expertise, our pioneering optical sensing technology is supporting our customers’ goals of achieving uninterrupted flexible power supply.
2020
Shaping the future
Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) revolutionised the way products were conceived, designed and manufactured. It provided much greater flexibility, enabling smaller production runs and more intricate architecture. This made it the ideal process to support production of our next generation of valves and heat exchangers.
Using ALM means we produced more complex shapes, improved thermal and flow properties and significantly enhanced performance. ALM allowed us to easily shape components to fit smaller, tighter space envelopes so that we met our customers’ increasingly challenging needs and applications.
2020
Shaping the future
Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) revolutionised the way products were conceived, designed and manufactured. It provided much greater flexibility, enabling smaller production runs and more intricate architecture. This made it the ideal process to support production of our next generation of valves and heat exchangers.
Using ALM means we produced more complex shapes, improved thermal and flow properties and significantly enhanced performance. ALM allowed us to easily shape components to fit smaller, tighter space envelopes so that we met our customers’ increasingly challenging needs and applications.
2020
Mission critical
Our pioneering radome technology was specially selected by BAE Systems and Leonardo for the Typhoon fighter jet upgrade to enable the effective operation of their sophisticated Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) system. This mission-critical technology allowed pilots to locate, identify and suppress enemy air defence radar. The radome is a composite structure at the nose of the aircraft that houses and protects the radar systems and antennae, even at speeds in excess of 2,000 km/h.
2020
Mission critical
Our pioneering radome technology was specially selected by BAE Systems and Leonardo for the Typhoon fighter jet upgrade to enable the effective operation of their sophisticated Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) system. This mission-critical technology allowed pilots to locate, identify and suppress enemy air defence radar. The radome is a composite structure at the nose of the aircraft that houses and protects the radar systems and antennae, even at speeds in excess of 2,000 km/h.
2021
Preserving life for future generations
Meggitt worked closely with the major aviation OEMs to develop an alternative to Halon, that both saves life and the planet for future generations. Our green suppression solution, VERDAGENT™, uses a clean agent known as 2-BTP (2-bromo, 3,3,3 - trifluoropropene) to extinguish fire.
Unlike other green solutions, it does not leave corrosive residues after application, performs at low temperatures and, most importantly, has negligible impact on critical ozone levels. What’s more, the solution can be delivered using existing ancillary equipment, such as cylinders and bottles, making it a viable option for operators worldwide.
2021
Preserving life for future generations
Meggitt worked closely with the major aviation OEMs to develop an alternative to Halon, that both saves life and the planet for future generations. Our green suppression solution, VERDAGENT™, uses a clean agent known as 2-BTP (2-bromo, 3,3,3 - trifluoropropene) to extinguish fire.
Unlike other green solutions, it does not leave corrosive residues after application, performs at low temperatures and, most importantly, has negligible impact on critical ozone levels. What’s more, the solution can be delivered using existing ancillary equipment, such as cylinders and bottles, making it a viable option for operators worldwide.
2021
Enabling our sustainable future
This was the year that we officially launched the framework of our sustainability charter, bringing together all those elements in our business that for many years have been contributing towards building a better more sustainable future for us all. From our focus on High Performance Culture and equality, to the charitable activities of our local teams, from pioneering technologies that reduce environmental impact, to reducing our CO2 emissions, waste and water usage.
Built on the three pillars of PEOPLE, PLANET and TECHNOLOGY, we have made our commitment towards creating a brighter, cleaner future and a more sustainable business for the benefit of all our colleagues, customers, business partners and the communities in which we operate.
2021
Enabling our sustainable future
This was the year that we officially launched the framework of our sustainability charter, bringing together all those elements in our business that for many years have been contributing towards building a better more sustainable future for us all. From our focus on High Performance Culture and equality, to the charitable activities of our local teams, from pioneering technologies that reduce environmental impact, to reducing our CO2 emissions, waste and water usage.
Built on the three pillars of PEOPLE, PLANET and TECHNOLOGY, we have made our commitment towards creating a brighter, cleaner future and a more sustainable business for the benefit of all our colleagues, customers, business partners and the communities in which we operate.
At Meggitt, we are committed to working in partnership with our global employees, communities, customers, suppliers and investors, to protect and advance our people, planet and technologies, for the benefit of future generations.
At Meggitt, we are committed to working in partnership with our global employees, communities, customers, suppliers and investors, to protect and advance our people, planet and technologies, for the benefit of future generations.
