Chemring Energetic Devices (CED)
Chemring Energetic Devices (CED), headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, USA, is a globally recognized leader in the design, development, and manufacture of high-reliability energetic, mechanical, and electronic subsystems. The company operates as a key supplier within the aerospace and defense industries, providing mission-critical solutions that often involve the controlled, high-speed release of energy. CED???s core competence lies in energetic engineering, where it applies physics-based analysis and modeling to develop and troubleshoot complex pyro-mechanical devices, leveraging unique, internally-developed computational models like CIBAC.
Continue…Core Business and Expertise
CED???s primary function is to serve as an exceptionally reliable partner to its customers, delivering high-quality, customized solutions that meet the stringent requirements and high standards of safety and performance for aerospace and defense applications. The company???s long history, which includes operating for over 50 years (formerly as Scot Incorporated), has established its reputation in providing devices for military escape systems, missiles, satellites, and launch vehicles.
The company???s broad range of capabilities supports the entire product lifecycle, from initial concept to deployment. These capabilities include:
* Engineering and Analysis: Detailed engineering design, systems engineering, electrical systems, and physics-based modeling and simulation.
* Energetics and Manufacturing: Expertise in energetic materials, specialized manufacturing, production, and precision assembly of electro-mechanical, pneumatic, and pyrotechnic components.
* Testing and Support Services: Comprehensive testing and inspection, support for build-to-print programs, third-party testing, and failure/root-cause analysis.
Products and Market Segments
Chemring Energetic Devices??? product portfolio is segmented across four principal market areas, all focused on delivering precise, single-use, high-reliability functions.
1. Aircraft Pyro Segment
This segment is historically a mainstay of CED???s business, focusing on life-support and emergency egress systems for military aircrew. The company is a leading supplier of Cartridge Activated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD), which are essential for safe ejection from aircraft. Key products include:
* Ejection Seat Components: Ejection seat mortar cartridges, drogue gun cartridges, time delay devices, harness release cartridges, and harness release cutters. CED components are used on a wide variety of aircraft platforms, including those featuring the ACES II and Martin Baker ejection seats.
* Airframe Safety Systems: Canopy cutting cords to assist in canopy break-up and removal, actuators, and thrusters.
* Commercial Applications: The company also supplies safety systems for commercial aviation, such as spoiler override actuators and components for emergency oxygen mask deployment.
2. Missiles Segment
CED provides critical pyro-mechanisms and energetic components that enable flight maneuvering, stage separation, and propulsion within missile systems. These products are high-reliability devices that operate under extreme conditions. The company supplies components for major US Missile platforms, including:
* Pyro-Mechanical Devices: Components for missile???s propulsion and flight maneuvering applications.
* Specific Program Support: Devices for platforms such as the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), and Tomahawk.
3. Space Segment
This segment is built on CED???s long-standing NASA heritage and its ability to deliver space-grade quality and reliability. CED's energetic devices perform critical functions for launch vehicles and satellites. Products in this segment include:
* Initiators: CED maintains a sole-sourced position on specialized initiators used to kick off the explosive train for various pyro-mechanical devices.
* Separation Systems: Low shock pyrotechnic satellite separation systems and release mechanisms.
* Flight Heritage: Components have been used on historical and current programs, including the Space Shuttle, the Atlas, Delta, and Titan families of launch vehicles, and various satellites.
4. Electronics Segment
Complementary to its energetic device manufacturing, CED develops and manufactures sophisticated support and test equipment used by aircrews and maintenance personnel. The company is often the sole source provider for this portable test equipment.
* Test Equipment: The JCAST (Joint Combined Aircrew System Tester), ACAST, and SCOT tester line of products.
* Function: These testers are used to check out life support, communications gear, and other electronic components vital to aircrew pre-flight readiness.
