Contract Worth More Than $1.6 Billion

Smiths Aerospace has been selected by The Boeing Company to supply the landing gear and high lift actuation systems for the 7E7 aircraft in total contract values in excess of $1.6 billion. The first system delivery from Smiths is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2006. The 7E7 entry into service is scheduled for 2008.

Commenting on the selections, chief executive of Smiths Group, Keith Butler-Wheelhouse said, "This news reflects Smiths long-term commitment to investment in research and development and reconfirms our tier one supplier status with Boeing. In addition, Smiths will also supply the common core system on the 7E7 and the enhanced airborne flight recorder. The revenue on these contracts is expected to approach $3 billion for Smiths over the lifetime of the aircraft."

Dr. John Ferrie, group managing director, Smiths Aerospace added, "This program, with its integration of mechanical engineering and electronic control systems, is a prime example of our ability to deliver best value to our customers. We are committed to a long and successful relationship with Boeing as a first tier supplier on the 7E7 and other programs."

"We’re making great progress bringing our team together," said Boeing 7E7 Senior Vice President Mike Bair. "The selection process has been very robust, making us confident that we’re selecting the companies that will help us deliver an outstanding product to our customers."

About the landing gear systems

Smiths is responsible for the design, development, certification and manufacturing of a fully integrated system which will control the deployment and retraction of the aircraft landing gears, including the nose landing gear steering and the brake control and monitoring systems.

In addition to the normal package of mechanical hardware, Smiths will also provide the flight deck interfaces and local control electronics and a comprehensive customer services package from entry into service. This program brings together Smiths skills in systems integration and program management, hydraulic actuation, electronics and software control. The program will be led from the Company’s facility in Washington State, with work also being carried out in Smiths facilities in Cheltenham, UK and Michigan.

The 7E7 integrated landing gear systems (LGS) consists of three systems which are:

• Main and nose gear actuation systems that will enable the deployment and retraction of the aircraft landing gears
   
  Nose gear steering system that will enable steering of the airplane on the ground
• Brake control and monitoring system

This program will utilize state of the art technologies and an expanded scope demonstrating Smiths investment in new technology and applying existing technology in new areas.

About the high lift actuation system

The high lift actuation system comprises all of the elements required to power, actuate and monitor the flap and slat system. Smiths is responsible for the design, development, certification and manufacture of the full system and will also provide a comprehensive customer services package from entry into service. This program brings together Smiths skills in systems integration and program management, mechanical actuation and electronics. The program will be led from the Company’s facility in Wolverhampton, UK.

The 7E7 high lift actuation system consists of leading and trailing edge actuation including:

• Power drive units for the generation power for the transmission system
• Transmission system including angle gearboxes to enable routing of transmission through the aircraft wings and fuselage
• Rotary actuation and safety critical braking devices
• Monitoring and skew detection equipment

In addition to certification responsibility of the system, Smiths will provide full interface and certification support at the aircraft level.

FMI: www.smiths-group.com