Universal Synaptics and GGAS Aviation Services Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Intermittent Fault Detection, Technical Education, and Workforce Development in Saudi Arabia
Universal Synaptics Corporation (USC), a global leader in the detection and isolation of elusive electrical intermittent faults that lead to costly No Fault Found (NFF) outcomes, has announced a strategic partnership with GGAS Aviation Services (GGAS), a leading Saudi-based aviation services and supply-chain solutions provider. The agreement marks a significant milestone in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strengthen its aviation and advanced maintenance ecosystem through world-class education, technology transfer, and workforce development.
Under the terms of the partnership, Universal Synaptics and GGAS will collaborate to establish an accredited educational and professional development program focused on advanced Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), intermittent fault diagnostics, and modern electrical systems sustainment. The initiative is designed to equip Saudi technicians and aviation professionals with specialized knowledge and cutting-edge tools that address one of the most persistent challenges in modern aircraft maintenance: intermittent electrical faults that evade conventional testing methods.
This collaboration aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda, which emphasizes localization of expertise, industrial diversification, and the development of high-value technical skills within the Kingdom. By combining Universal Synaptics’ proprietary diagnostic technologies with GGAS Aviation Services’ deep local expertise and infrastructure, the partnership aims to create a globally competitive training framework tailored specifically to the Kingdom’s operational environment and long-term strategic goals.
Addressing a Critical Industry Challenge: Intermittent Faults and NFF Events
Intermittent electrical faults are among the most difficult and costly problems faced by the global aviation and aerospace industry. These faults often occur sporadically and disappear during standard testing procedures, resulting in “No Fault Found” outcomes that can drive repeated component removals, increased maintenance costs, aircraft downtime, and reduced fleet availability.
Universal Synaptics has built its reputation over nearly three decades by addressing this exact problem. Since its founding in 1996, the company has focused on identifying the root causes of intermittent faults—such as wiring degradation, connector issues, environmental stressors, and transient electrical anomalies—that are frequently overlooked by conventional diagnostic equipment.
Through extensive research and innovation, Universal Synaptics developed a suite of patented technologies that close what the company describes as a “digital testing void” in traditional maintenance practices. These solutions include the Portable Intermittent Fault Detector (PIFD™), the Intermittent Fault Detection & Isolation System (IFDIS™), and the latest-generation Intermittent Fault Detection & Isolation System 2.0 (IFDIS 2.0™). Together, these tools enable technicians to detect, isolate, and analyze faults that would otherwise remain hidden, significantly improving maintenance efficiency and operational reliability.
Building an Accredited Education and Training Ecosystem
At the core of the Universal Synaptics–GGAS partnership is the creation of an accredited education and training program that combines advanced theory with hands-on application. The curriculum will focus on Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), electrical systems degradation curves, environmental and operational stress factors, intermittent fault failure modes, and the practical use of advanced diagnostic technologies unique to Universal Synaptics.
Participants will receive in-depth training on the deployment and interpretation of data from the IFDIS 2.0 and PIFD systems, gaining practical skills that can be immediately applied in real-world maintenance environments. The program will also incorporate leadership development, strategic maintenance planning, and modern sustainment methodologies to prepare participants for long-term career growth and leadership roles.
Importantly, the educational framework is being designed with local relevance in mind. While the program will meet international standards, it will also reflect the specific operational, environmental, and regulatory conditions of Saudi Arabia. This localized approach ensures that graduates are not only technically proficient but also fully prepared to contribute effectively within the Kingdom’s aviation and industrial sectors.
Supporting Saudization and Vision 2030 Objectives
A key objective of the partnership is to support Saudi Arabia’s Saudization policy by developing in-country technical expertise and reducing reliance on external labor for specialized maintenance and diagnostic roles. By investing in advanced training for Saudi nationals, Universal Synaptics and GGAS aim to create a sustainable pipeline of highly skilled professionals capable of supporting the Kingdom’s expanding aviation, defense, and advanced electronics sectors.
The initiative directly contributes to Vision 2030 priorities, including workforce localization, technology transfer, and the establishment of Saudi Arabia as a regional hub for aerospace and advanced maintenance services. Beyond aviation, the knowledge and skills developed through the program are expected to have cross-sector applicability, particularly in industries that rely on complex electrical and electronic systems.
Initially, the program will target Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) and aviation sustainment professionals. Over time, the partnership plans to expand the scope of training to include other critical sectors of the Saudi economy, such as ground support equipment (GSE), defense electronics, industrial automation, and high-reliability electrical systems.
A Partnership Built on Proven Collaboration
The newly announced agreement builds on a long-standing relationship between Universal Synaptics and GGAS Aviation Services. The two organizations previously collaborated to deliver advanced Portable Intermittent Fault Detectors and specialized training programs to Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier.
That successful engagement demonstrated the value of combining Universal Synaptics’ advanced diagnostic technologies with GGAS’s in-country capabilities and deep understanding of the Saudi aviation landscape. The expanded partnership formalizes and scales this collaboration, creating a structured platform for long-term education, technology deployment, and workforce development.
Leadership Perspectives
Commenting on the partnership, Naif Almatrafi, Chief Executive Officer of GGAS Aviation Services, emphasized its strategic importance for the Kingdom’s aviation sector.
At GGAS Aviation Services, we are honored to join forces with Universal Synaptics in advancing the Kingdom’s next generation of technical excellence,” Almatrafi said. “This partnership strengthens our mission to build world-class in-country capabilities across aviation, ground support equipment, tooling, and advanced maintenance systems. Together, we are contributing directly to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by empowering local talent, elevating operational reliability, and delivering innovative solutions that set new benchmarks for the region’s aerospace sector.
Kenneth Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Synaptics Corporation, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the shared vision underpinning the collaboration.
Universal Synaptics is proud to partner with GGAS and welcomes the opportunity to develop future multi-sector maintenance and sustainment leaders in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Anderson said. “Our collaboration reflects a shared commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives by delivering world-class education, professional development, and advanced intermittent fault detection and isolation technologies.
About Universal Synaptics Corporation
Headquartered in Ogden, Utah, Universal Synaptics Corporation has been at the forefront of intermittent fault detection and diagnostic innovation since 1996. The company’s work has reshaped industry understanding of No Fault Found (NFF) events and the limitations of conventional test equipment.
Through patented technologies such as the PIFD™, IFDIS™, and IFDIS 2.0™, Universal Synaptics provides solutions that enable organizations to detect faults that would otherwise remain invisible, improving system reliability, reducing maintenance costs, and enhancing operational readiness across aviation, defense, and high-reliability electronics sectors.
GGAS Aviation Services is a Saudi-based provider of aviation supply-chain and technical solutions dedicated to supporting the Kingdom’s aerospace, MRO, and defense industries. Operating exclusively within Saudi Arabia, GGAS delivers a comprehensive portfolio of high-reliability tooling, ground support equipment, spare parts, aviation tool solutions, advanced intermittent fault diagnostics, UAV and aviation maintenance infrastructure, and specialized technical support services.
Through its commitment to localization, innovation, and alignment with Vision 2030, GGAS plays a critical role in strengthening Saudi Arabia’s aviation ecosystem and building sustainable, world-class in-country capabilities.
As Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in aviation, defense, and advanced industrial capabilities, the partnership between Universal Synaptics and GGAS Aviation Services represents a forward-looking model for combining technology, education, and localization. By addressing one of the aviation industry’s most persistent technical challenges while simultaneously developing local talent, the collaboration is poised to deliver long-term value to the Kingdom and set new standards for technical excellence across the region.
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