Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense, known as EBAD, makes energetic and mechanism products for space and defense customers. The company traces its roots to 1836, when William Bickford invented the safety fuse. EBAD describes itself as a non-traditional defense contractor under 10 U.S.C. 3014.

In space, EBAD supplies spacecraft dispensing, initiation, explosive signal transmission, payload release and separation, flight termination and launch lock devices. Its hold down and release mechanisms are sold under the TiNi and NEA names. The launch lock products are low-shock, non-pyrotechnic devices. They can be used on antennas, scientific instruments, solar arrays, reflectors, booms and masts, and stage separation.

EBAD engineers can build launch lock technologies into custom assemblies. Changes can cover the mechanical interface, housing designs, lead wires, load capability and materials. The company also offers factory refurbishing when appropriate. Its space product lines include the TiNi Frangibolt actuator, NEA hold down and release mechanisms, and NEA and TiNi pin pullers.

For launch vehicles and missile systems, EBAD provides initiation, separation and flight termination products. Its catalog covers launch vehicle and missile systems. Missile work covers strategic missiles, tactical missiles and missile defense.

EBAD has designed, developed and produced a wide range of explosive and pyrotechnic products for defense applications. Its warhead work covers explosive powder handling, pressed charges, cast-cure explosives, melt-cast explosives and plastic bonded explosive products. Applications include missile warhead programs, shoulder-fired munitions, mortars and payloads. Warhead processing includes loading, assembly with boosters, safe-arm devices and fuzing, and testing in a test arena with high speed video and pressure measurement.

The Warfighter line covers breaching systems, clearance and disruption, explosive ordnance disposal and demolition, vehicle survivability and training. The company also offers design and analysis, rapid prototyping, quality systems, explosive and environmental testing, and shape memory alloy technology.

EBAD says its vision is to be the global provider of integrated solutions critical to mission success. Its products are used for launch vehicle stage separation, missile motor ignition, satellite solar array release and warfighter door breaching. The company says it works with a diverse space and defense customer base.

Services

• Spacecraft dispensing
• Payload release and separation
• Launch lock devices
• TiNi and NEA hold down release mechanisms
• Initiation
• Flight termination
• Explosive signal transmission
• Warheads
• Warfighter products
• Design and analysis