As aircraft age and OEMs discontinue support, operators are left with a tough decision: retire a capable platform or find an alternative source for critical components. PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) faced this exact issue with their NC212i aircraft — and turned to LMS for a solution.
The Challenge: Unsupported Systems, No Off-the-Shelf Fix
PTDI, Indonesia’s state-owned aerospace company, was upgrading six NC212i aircraft for the Philippine Air Force and three for their own fleet. When they discovered that the original supplier, CASA (now part of Airbus), no longer supported the underwing fuel tank and fuel indication system, they were forced to seek a replacement.
This is a textbook case of aircraft fuel system obsolescence — where a legacy platform still has mission value but the original suppliers have exited support. Unfortunately, major suppliers either declined the project due to low volume or couldn’t accommodate the aircraft’s legacy analog interface. PTDI needed a complete, drop-in Fuel Quantity Measurement System (FQMS) that could work with the original cockpit.
The Solution: A Tailored System with Global Support
Working through a trusted broker, PTDI selected LMS based on:
- A proven ability to engineer custom systems for low-volume platforms
- Expertise in designing analog-compatible fuel measurement systems
- A collaborative approach that included up-front NRE transparency and milestone planning
LMS delivered a system consisting of:
- Custom underwing fuel probes
- Signal conditioning units (SCUs)
- Analog indicators for the legacy cockpit interface
Timeline and Collaboration Highlights
LMS provided consistent program support with weekly engineering reviews and direct collaboration with PTDI’s technical team. The client noted the simplicity and reliability of LMS’s approach, especially compared to more rigid alternatives.
Why It Matters
This project shows the broader impact of aircraft fuel system obsolescence across global fleets. Without partners willing to take on small-quantity, high-complexity builds, operators risk losing mission-capable aircraft to unsupported systems. LMS provided more than a replacement — they delivered a sustainable path forward for the NC212i.
Key Takeaways
- LMS is a go-to partner for legacy and unsupported fuel systems
- Analog compatibility doesn’t mean outdated design — it means precision engineering
- Collaborative brokers and clear NRE discussions streamline international programs
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