Hi-tech black box makers expand

The company's black box recorders are used in US military vehicles

A company working for the US and Australian armed forces making black box recorders for military vehicles is creating 35 jobs in Powys.

Dytecna Systems Engineering, near Welshpool, has opened a new research and development base where it will design all of its hi-tech software.

The firm's black box technology is used to monitor and identify problems with vehicles' electronic systems.

It is also being used on rail stock and on naval vessels in the UK.

The company opened its 12,000 sq ft (1,115 sq m) unit on Wednesday.

Fourteen staff were employed a year ago at its base in Powys, but the firm hopes to employ 50 within 18 months. Ten new recruits have already been taken on.

Naval vessels

It is considered a world leader in the development of land vehicle health and usage monitoring systems (LV-HUMS).

This black box monitoring technology is installed in military vehicles to provide "accurate and timely information on the condition of the highly sophisticated electronic systems within the vehicles".

The software identifies problems and anticipates future areas for maintenance.

The company has won a number of contracts from the US and Australia, while its "monitoring systems" are now being introduced onto rail stock and used to monitor engines on naval vessels in the UK.

Economy and Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones welcomed the company's decision to expand.

"The assembly government is delighted to support a company of this calibre, which is creating a significant number of highly skilled jobs and set to create a technology centre of excellence in Wales," he said.

Dytecna, a privately owned group of companies, has seen its turnover increase more than six times in six years to £25m, and has gone from employing 100 people to 300.

It also has offices in Weybridge, Surrey, at Malvern, Worcestershire and Melbourne, Australia.