CCS To Run Dreamliner's Systems

Every advanced system needs its own "brain" and Boeing has found its choice for the 7E7 Dreamliner. The aersopace giant has selected Smiths Aerospace's Common Core System (CCS) for this important function. The system will be designed and manufactured at Smiths' facilities in Michigan and Cheltenham, England.

Acting like its central nervous system, the 7E7 CCS is the backbone of the airplane's computers, networks, and interfacing electronics, and will host all of the airplane's avionics and utilities functions. The system will replace dozens of traditional, standalone, computers and data busses fitted to present day aircraft. Smiths claims the system architecture provides "significant benefits to a traditional avionics architecture including, reduced development costs, reduced weight, increased performance, lower acquisition and maintenance costs, and reduced cost of change."

Keith Butler-Wheelhouse, Chief Executive of Smiths Group, said, "This first contract win on the 7E7 is a major breakthrough for the company, confirming Smiths Aerospace as a key tier 1 supplier/partner with Boeing for their next family of commercial airplanes."

Smiths, which estimates potential future sales of these computer systems to be worth in excess of $1bn, joined a team of international companies developing technologies and design concepts for the 7E7 program. Aside from the CCS, Smiths is proposing a number of other major electronics and actuation systems for the 7E7. The Dreamliner's entry into service is scheduled for 2008.

FMI:  www.boeing.com