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.