National Technical Systems Inc. has acquired Lightning Technologies Inc. (LTI). In business since 1977 and located in Pittsfield, MA, LTI is an engineering services and testing laboratory specializing in lightning protection. LTI's customer base, capabilities, and service offerings are concentrated in the aerospace, construction, and wind power generation markets, which will expand NTS' commercial aerospace business and strengthen the company's non-defense industry businesses. The company's customer base, capabilities, and service offerings are concentrated in the aerospace, construction, and wind power generation markets. Lightning testing and lightning protection systems are becoming increasingly important in many markets NTS serves, but particularly in aviation due to the advent of new composite materials. NTS is now believed to be the only U.S. firm that can test and certify that commercial aircraft meet all the requirements of U.S. FAA specification DO160. The staff and operations of the acquired business will continue to be located in its advanced, 20,000-ft² testing facility in Pittsfield, and NTS will operate that business as part of the company's Technical Systems organization under the name Lightning Technologies, an NTS Company.
Shown is an artist's rendering of the lightning protection system at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Launch Pad 39B. Kennedy Space Center is a client of LTI.