Recent News

As a result of our successful relationship with Symetrics Industries, we were recently approached by their sister division PhotoTelesis, Inc. in San Antonio, TX.  Faced with a thermal challenge on a new piece of flight equipment, PhotoTelesis contracted McCormick Stevenson to provide computational fluids dynamics (CFD) analysis of the product in its thermal environment.  Our mission was to identify opportunities for thermal optimization throughout the design, and demonstrate the return on the investment analytically before the first piece of metal was cut.  PhotoTelesis recognized the value in cost and schedule savings that could be realized through the careful application of finite element analysis.

In 2009, MCCST presented to the Florida Senate the benefits of the Signal Safe product for protection of traffic signals during hurricane season.  Subsequently, Signal Safe devices have been installed, on a pilot program basis, along major hurricane evacuation routes in the Tampa Bay area.  The successful completion of this pilot program will see the Signal Safe product protecting drivers throughout Florida.  MCCST has proudly supported Signal Safe for over 3 years with design, drafting, and analysis services and we are happy to see the goals of Signal Safe are fast becoming reality!

Since October of 2009, McCormick Stevenson has been providing mechanical engineering and design services to Symetrics Industries in support of their IDM-304B Program.  The legacy IDM-304 is the modem of choice for US Army Helicopters such as the Apache Longbow, Kiowa Warrior, Chinook and Blackhawk.  The “B” version of the device will provide the war-fighter with the latest technology, and increased reliability under these extremely harsh conditions.  Symetrics turned to McCormick Stevenson to supplement their internal engineering staff based on our experience with the mechanical hardening of electronics in military aircraft environments, our capabilities in structural and thermal engineering analysis, and our familiarity with the creation of ASME Y14.100 compliant documentation for the Department of Defense.  Ray Boggs, Director of Engineering for Symetrics had this to say about our engagement, “I have turned to McCormick Stevenson to provide solutions to challenging mechanical designs for several years, both at Symetrics and in a previous position. They have continually exceeded my technical, cost and schedule performance expectations.”

On October 11 with bipartisan support, President Obama signed into law the NASA Authorization Act of 2010.  This action gives new and definitive direction for NASA and the surrounding community to clearly maintain human spaceflight initiatives as well as develop bold new plans for future space exploration.  Program funding will continue to be a concern as Congress reconvenes after the mid-term elections, however McCormick Stevenson is proud to have supported the development of this plan and eagerly anticipates the future progress in the NASA community.  For more information, contact Diana Light or visit the NASA Press Release.

We are proud to announce that Melissa McCormick has been named the President of the Rotary Club of Dunedin for the coming year!  The Rotary Club of Dunedin proudly serves the local community as well as the world community.  Over the past ten years, the club has donated more than $300,000 to a variety of local organizations – the two largest local recipients are scholarships for Dunedin High School students and the Rotary Centennial Nature Center at Honeymoon Island State Park.  Members are also very generous to the Rotary International Foundation.  Melissa will lead the club as they continue with their efforts including their largest fundraiser, the Dunedin Beach Triathlon.  For more information, contact Melissa or visit the Rotary Club of Dunedin website and drop in for a weekly Tuesday afternoon meeting.

McCormick Stevenson was recently awarded a follow-on contract to continue our support of Aerosonic Inc.in their development of a new Electronic Flight Instrument System for use on civil fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft.  This four month project will culminate in fully functional prototypes, with an anticipated follow-on phase to produce production documentation and first article qualification hardware.  Aerosonic’s near term goal is Supplemental Type Certification on a Cirrus SR22 with other aircraft to follow.

“Our development partners at McCormick Stevenson have significantly reduced risk in our design effort.  Their excellent staff and willingness to do what it takes to meet our needs has been a significant contribution to our progress.” - Scott R. Kempshall, Vice President of Technology and Product Development, Aerosonic Corporation.

McCormick Stevenson recently assisted L-3 Aviation Recorders Division with the preliminary development of their next generation of Automatic Identification System for both shipboard and airborne applications.  This rugged, harsh environment piece of electronics equipment is a short range tracking system used for locating and identifying nearby similarly equipped vessels primarily for the purpose of collision avoidance.  However, vessel traffic services in busy ports may also use the broadcast information as well as search and rescue vessels and aircraft.  McCormick Stevenson provided the mechanical engineering and design basis for the new product and fabricated marketing quality prototypes for first viewing at the RTCM 2010 Conference (Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services) held in San Diego recently.  Tom Schmutz, VP of Engineering for L-3 said this regarding the preliminary prototypes, “The look of the unit is really outstanding .  The packaging sets the stage for the unique functionality and performance that this product brings to market.”

Arnold Defense and Electronics (AD&E) recently contracted McCormick Stevenson to assist in the development of a new rocket launch system intended for military rotary wing aircraft.  AD&E, a St. Louis based manufacturer, is the foremost supplier of rocket launchers and flare dispensers to the U.S. Military including the M260/M261 Rocket Launchers.  The MCCST team is providing concept development, mechanical design, engineering analysis, and design documentation support to Arnold Defense and Electronics as they march towards a flight test of the new product in Q4 of 2010.

One of AD&E’s Managers had the following to say about our involvement …. “McCormick Stevenson came up to speed on the project in record time and has been able to adjust to directional changes without allowing the project timetable to slip.  They have provided outstanding professional engineering services in support of our project.”

We are proud to work with such a fantastic team at AD&E!

In response to the 2011 NASA budget proposal, Diana Light has been working feverishly with the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP) group at the Johnson Space Center in order to make sure America maintains our dominance in space.  The current budget eliminates the Constellation program, including the development of the next generation Space Shuttle as well as the capability to ferry humans to the moon, mars and beyond.  Diana has been acting as a small business representative reaching out nationally to businesses affected by the significant changes.  For more information on how you can help, go to GoBoldlyNASA.org or contact Diana!

McCormick Stevenson is proud to announce that our owner and Vice President, Paul Stevenson, has been named the 2010 Engineer of the Year by the ASME Florida West Coast Section! Paul is instrumental in delivering outstanding solutions to all of our clients, including jet engine components for Rolls Royce and GE, aircraft lighting systems for Goodrich and Boeing, tactical cryptographic devices for Sypris Electronics and the NSA, as well as missile system components for ATK and the US Army.  Paul’s commitment and dedication to community and education is obvious at both the high school and college level, as well as his active involvement in the ASME, PMI and PDMA. Paul serves as an example to our entire staff of what hard work and dedication to strong ethics is all about.  We are so proud to claim him as our own!  Congratulations Paul!