CAPSTONE is a coaxial twin-rotor aircraft which is said to be more efficient and scalable by design than other traditional helicopters and multi-rotors and is capable of carrying 300kg of payload. The prototypes have been tested in various Ministry of Defence flight trials and Certo is now collaborating with BAE Systems in a new competitive tender for the forthcoming multi-year MOD programme, Project NYX. Randle Engineering is working on various
key areas of the development pathway, with the mission to preserve and expand the optimal ratio of payload mass to maximum take-off weight, which is already at 50%. The Randle team is contributing specifically in the design of the aerodynamic airframe structures, HF engine integration and driveline systems. Computer-aided design (CAD) has been
central to the design effort and linear static analysis used to define load cases. Modal analysis helped evaluate force isolation and vibration response, while non-linear impact analysis was conducted to assess
impact behaviour. FEA simulations were performed using Solidworks with OptiStruct FEA used as required to optimise the mass of the sub-systems. Ally McMahon, chief executive
officer at Randle Engineering, said: “With two contra-rotating main rotors on top, and no tail rotor, CAPSTONE’s form factor not only reaps a significant energy advantage but also makes the overall length of the aircraft at least 33% smaller than a conventional helicopter of the same lift capability. Another advantage of this modular design includes that it allows for rapid re-roling from CASEVAC to construction, from firefighting to famine relief, and across a multiplicity of military roles including logistics and submarine detection. “We are also learning from the advanced
aerodynamic analysis we are conducting with academics that the particular coaxial control system employed on CAPSTONE has distinct advantages in real-world weather conditions and operational military scenarios.” Justin Tooth, CEO at Certo Aerospace, added: “Having Randle Engineering as our lead design
The iMSPO (igus
Mobile Shore Power Outlet) from igus – which featured in the December/January issue of Design
Solutions – meets these demands. This mobile, modular, shore power system is designed to meet the urgent demand for clean energy at berth, enabling ports to drastically reduce emissions from docked vessels and take meaningful strides toward Scope 3 compliance. Many ports still lack the infrastructure to offer shore power across all berths, leaving a gaping
hole in their ESG reporting and sustainability strategies. The iMSPO solves this challenge with a flexible, self-propelled socket system that delivers medium-voltage shore power directly to vessels (Container, Cruise, Ferry, Ro-Ro), regardless of their mooring position. Installed above the fender system and controlled remotely, the iMSPO can travel in excess of 400m along the quay, ensuring full berth coverage without the need for multiple fixed installations resulting in zero dead spots where the vessels cannot connect. By replacing multiple fixed sockets with one mobile unit, ports can reduce cabling, switchgear, and civil engineering costs, accelerating ROI while enhancing operational flexibility. They also gain the ability to shut down shipboard diesel generators, cutting emissions at the source and aligning with EU ETS and MRV requirements.
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consultancy on these highly challenging and specialised areas of our development pathway has proved a significant boost to our rate of progress. The Randle engineers bring excellent experience in design and project management that are highly complementary to our own. Contributing at this level to a wholly novel aircraft class is also really rewarding professionally, so it is very encouraging to see our colleagues at Randle enjoying this journey as much as we do!”
The company supports Caterpillar through
multiple global manufacturing locations, including the SPIROL Shim Division in Stow, Ohio, USA; SPIROL International Corporation in Danielson, Connecticut, USA; and SPIROL Ford in South Shields, Tyne & Wear, United Kingdom. The SPIROL Shim Division alone supplies more than 600 part numbers supporting 35 Caterpillar facilities worldwide. Ken Hagan, president of SPIROL Shim Division
in Stow, Ohio, USA. “We are proud to accept this recognition of our strong and consistent performance as both a key supplier and a valued partner. Our goal is to achieve the highest Supplier Excellence level possible in 2026, and we are off to a fantastic start.”
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