Turbine engine inlet filter specialist Donaldson Aerospace & Defense has completed a year marked by new products, a new St. Louis facility, and delivery of its 5,000th inlet barrier filter system.

The company is at Heli-Expo 2012 (Booth No. 8451) to display its newest offering, a self-contained, scalable universal filtration system dubbed the Universal Filter Module (UFM). Donaldson says it will be applicable to a wide range of heavy, twin-engine helicopters. The first UFM application will be in the Sikorsky S-61. A flight test program has been completed and development, including certification for commercial applications, continues.

Donaldson also notes that Intermountain Health Care Life Flight, a longtime Utah-based air medical operator, is operating an AgustaWestland AW109SP Grand New with the first Donaldson inlet barrier filter system for that aircraft.

The company also reported that the first Turbomeca Arriel 2D-powered Eurocopter AS350B3e in Africa is flying with a Donaldson inlet barrier filter for the Kenya Police Air-Wing.