Ultra Delivers 1,000th ANC System

Ultra Electronics' Control business, located in the U.K., delivered its 1,000th aircraft active noise cancellation (ANC) system. The 1,000th system was delivered to Bombardier’s Toronto facility as standard equipment for its Q400 production line. Ultra’s ANC systems are fitted to all Bombardier’s Q200, Q300 and Q400 turboprops and on Bombardier’s Challenger 604 business jet, the Hawker Beechcraft King Air corporate turboprops, the Saab 340 and Saab 2000 regional turboprops and, most recently, the Lockheed Martin C-130 military transport aircraft. The ANC system dampens the noise-generating vibrations caused by the “beating” of the air from the propeller blades against the fuselage, so that most of the noise and vibration never enters the passenger cabin. Active Tuned Vibration Absorbers (ATVA) attached to the fuselage frames initiate out-of-phase counter vibrations to diminish the magnitude of the original vibrations, thereby creating a quieter, lower vibration and more relaxed passenger environment. The 1,000th system will enter service with Flybe, of Exeter, U.K., the world’s largest operator of the Q400.