Agilent, Frontier Electronic Systems to Provide Custom Test Solutions for Aerospace/Defense Industry
"For 20 years, FES has developed innovative, cost-effective products and test solutions that help customers create and improve electronic systems in a way that maximizes performance and minimizes packaging," said John Boutsikaris, general manager of Agilent's worldwide Channel Partner Unit. "These skills are particularly important in the defense, avionics and satellite industries, where technologies evolve rapidly and payload costs are often based on size and weight. FES shares Agilent's high standards of quality, and we plan to support FES with the considerable resources of the PSP program."
"FES brings years of engineering experience to the creation of innovative test solutions," said Chuck Gray, vice president and COO of FES. "Our relationship with Agilent combines the nimbleness of a small company with Agilent's cutting-edge instrumentation, distribution channels and support systems. This combination will enable customers to maximize returns with high quality test solutions that are affordable, delivered on time and meet company-specific requirements."
Founded in 1981, FES specializes in building electronic products, including avionics and space-qualified components, according to strict industry and military specifications. FES also develops integrated systems to test those units. Frontier is also one of the few small engineering firms with onsite satellite test bed capabilities. These capabilities enable FES to emulate the signals that pass between satellite subsystems, and to test system components in space-like environments prior to integrating and launching the satellite. Customers can use the test results to validate performance and reliability of satellite component designs as the subsystems are developed.
FES is ISO-9001 qualified and was one of three companies selected by Boeing and the Navy to participate in the Lean Initiative pilot program, designed to reduce cycle times to enhance affordability and competitiveness. FES has leveraged this experience to achieve significant efficiencies for all its customers. The company also excels at producing documentation according to military specifications (MIL-Spec), and at obsolescence parts management, the ability to predict where individual components are in their life cycle and to determine whether customers should buy or redesign parts.
About Agilent's Premier Solution Partners
Premier Solution Partners (PSPs) are certified by Agilent as best-in-class systems integrators in specific industries and application areas. Together, Agilent and PSPs are committed to speeding the implementation of custom systems to drive the overall performance and competitive advantage of their customers in key industries. The merging of Agilent's strengths in technology, instrumentation and standard platforms with partners' core competencies in specific applications and systems integration enables customers to accelerate the transition from prototype to volume manufacturing.
About FES
Frontier Electronic Systems Corp. is a multimillion dollar, high technology engineering and manufacturing leader in the design, qualification and production of innovative aircraft avionics, maritime signal distribution systems, satellite electronics, and COTS based test systems for government and industry customers throughout the world. FES has been in business for 20 years. The Native American woman-owned, SBA-certified Small Disadvantaged business is ranked among the top 500 woman-owned businesses and has been nationally recognized for its innovative technology, affordability and excellence in customer support.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics and life sciences. The company's 43,000 employees serve customers in more than 120 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $9.4 billion in fiscal year 2000, as restated to reflect the sale of its healthcare business. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.