Specialist British Aerospace and defence equipment manufacturer FHL - formerly Fairy Hydraulics Ltd and now a division of Claverham Group Ltd - ’Locked on’ to NSF Controls when it came to finding a supplier of quality solenoids for its latest missile fin actuation system.

The NSF Controls solenoids are used to lock the moveable find in a fixed position during transportation and during air-carriage before they are launched from war-planes during combat or military exercises.

The locking device is an integral part of a complete fin actuation system which Claverham offers to major European OEM missile designers and manufacturers. The system is controlled by an electronic control unit (ECM) linked to four electro-mechanical actuators for the four missile fins.

NSF Controls worked closely with FHL to develop the unique mechanically - latched bi-directional tubular solenoid used within the fin actuation system.

The magnetic latching system was designed not to interfere with missile compass and guidance systems.

Lightweight and highly reliable, the solenoid is capable of 25 million actuations in each direction and has a far longer life expectancy than comparable open frame magnetically-latched solenoids.

Based near Bristol, where it employs around 250 people and has an annual turnover of around £45 million, Claverham was acquired in 2001 by the Hamilton Sundstrand Group, a subsidiary company of the US-based United Technologies Group.

Within this large coporation FHL is recognized as a world leader in actuation technology for the aerospace and defence markets. It has more than 40 years’ experience in the analysis, design, development, qualification and manufacture of equipment using electro-hydraulic, electro-mechanical, electro-pneumatic and hybrid technologies.

In addition to guided weapon (missile) fin actuation systems, FHL’s wide product range includes: primary flight control actuators for combat aircraft and helicopters; special purpose actuators for helicopter deck-locks, ammunition handling systems for combat vehicles and artillery; submarine dive and steer systems (R&D): and aircraft landing gear.