Aviation Modification

In January 2003, the JVYS Aircraft Modification Team started with two electricians installing Blue Force Tracking kits on aircraft at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, and currently consists of 25 men and women installing mechanical and electrical kits across the United States and abroad.

All team members are Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) licensed aircraft mechanics and electricians with specialties in the areas of wiring, sheet metal fabrication and repair, component troubleshooting, installation, and overall aircraft maintenance. Recently, four of the technicians received their Aircraft Inspector Licenses, authorizing Yulista to inspect and sign-off work and release commercial aircraft for flight (www.yulistaaviation.com).

Blue Force Tracking (BFT)

• Transmits and receives Situational Awareness and Command and Control to/from air and ground platforms
  
  
• Displays location of friendly forces and enemy forces
  
  
• Allows for email text transmission between platforms
  
  
• Rapid prototyping, installation, and fielding of over 100 aircraft within the first 90 days of operation
  
  
• Designed, fabricated, and delivered over 2300 BFT Aviation Kits, over 700 BFT-Ground Kits, and 160 Tactical Operation Center (TOC) Kits
  
  
• Continued sustainment support for all BFT-Aviation kits
  
  
• Continued design and technical support for new applications and system upgrades
  

Recently completed modifications designed to prepare aircraft for survival in a war zone are the Integrated Mechanical Diagnostics Health and Usage Management Systems, Doppler Guidance Navigation Systems, Common Transponder, Crashworthy External Fuel Systems, Airborne Command and Control System, and Desert Modifications. Yulista recently teamed with JetSouth Aviation to install a new Bendix/King Global Positioning System in aircraft used in the training base at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. These are just a small sampling of modifications performed to date.

ASPI Kits

The ASPI Kits are a tailored application of insulation, blockers, and a redesigned exhaust system which include modifications to eighteen different areas of the aircraft. The Apache PMO teamed with the AMRDEC PIF, DARPA, and ARL to deploy a contact team to field ASPI kits to a unit in theater. The team completed modifications on 24 aircraft in less than 90 days. Plans to equip all deployed AH-64D aircraft are underway with the next battalion to be completed by July 2007.

In addition to actually performing aircraft modifications, the team prepares Modification Work Orders, the actual installation instructions used by other organizations, including the active Army. Very few other contractors have the ability and professional staff required to perform installations and prepare the technical data and engineering documentation required to take a job from conception all to final design and application. The installation team works and travels on less than 24 hours notice when a high priority project demands it; often technicians travel all night and work the entire next day to get an aircraft modified and ready to perform urgent, high-priority missions.

JVYS is currently deploying teams to IRAQ to install combat-essential AH-64 Apache aircraft modifications. This particular group was instrumental in the development of the actual hardware, completion of testing, kit development, and final fielding. This modification is expected to be applied to all aircraft currently located in theatre and will drive a significant workload for Yulista.

In August 2006, Yulista opened a new 12,000 square foot hangar facility that enhances JVYS' ability to perform modifications to both Military and Commercial aircraft. The Yulista Aircraft Modification Team has a growing reputation for quality work at fair and reasonable prices within compressed schedules.