Dispute Over Dreamliner Braking System Software Resolved

Industrial products manufacturer Crane Co. announced Wednesday that it had executed agreements with GE Aviation Systems LLC and The Boeing Company resolving its claims relating to the brake control monitoring system for the Boeing 787. Under the agreements, Crane’s supply contract will now be direct to Boeing.

Eric Fast, Crane Co. President and Chief Executive Officer, stated: “We are very pleased to have resolved this matter. We look forward to continuing our traditional successful supplier relationship with Boeing and working with GE on the landing gear system.”

As ANN reported in July of 2008, Boeing said there was a problem in the control software used in the plane's brake monitoring system. GE Aviation Systems subcontracted the work to Hydro-Aire, part of Crane Aerospace and Electrics. Boeing said Crane had to go back and rewrite parts of the brake control code to comply with certification standards.

"We need to push harder on the brake system" in order to achieve Boeing's certification targets, Shanahan told Reuters at the time. "It's not that the brakes don't work, it's the traceability of the software."

Crane will resume work, on a funded basis, on a modified version of the brake control monitoring system. Crane will receive payments aggregating $18.9 million in early 2010 associated with its claims.

FMI: www.craneco.com, www.boeing.com