20th Sep 2006 23:42
Smiths Aerospace (LSE:SMIN) played a key role inproviding the avionics and flight management system for The BoeingCompany (NYSE:BA) successful first flight of the C-130 AvionicsModernization Program (AMP) aircraft. The flight took place onSeptember 19 as part of the most comprehensive C-130 avionicsmodification ever conducted.£ The first C-130 AMP aircraft, designated H2, successfullycompleted its maiden flight from Lackland Air Force Base in SanAntonio, Texas per Boeing's news release today. Boeing test pilot MikeLeone and U.S. Air Force pilot Maj. Frank Delsing conducted theflight, which lasted approximately three hours.£ The aircraft is the first C-130 to undergo trial installations.Boeing inducted the aircraft in January 2005, after accepting it fromMaxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala. Boeing also has inductedthe second aircraft, H2.5, and has initiated the modification process.£ The aircraft's new avionics system features digital displays andthe 737 commercial airliner's proven flight management system fromSmiths Aerospace, which provide navigation, safety and communicationimprovements to meet Communication Navigation Surveillance/Air TrafficManagement (CNS/ATM) requirements. The CNS/ATM upgrade will allow theC-130 fleet to be deployed worldwide. Smiths is providing thefollowing systems for the C-130 AMP valued at more than $250 millionover the life of the program: £ -- Mission display processor (Michigan) £ -- Flight management system including the communications management unit and the terrain awareness warning system (integrated onto a single PowerPC) (Michigan) £ -- Multi-function control displays (Michigan) £ -- Integrated standby instrument system (Cheltenham) £ -- Flight data recorder/cockpit voice recorder (Michigan) £ -- Aircraft interface unit (Cheltenham) £ -- Mission display processor including digital map (Michigan and Maryland) £ The C-130AMP provides enhanced digital avionics that increasesituational awareness for the warfighter over old analog cockpits,dramatically increasing information available to aircrews at a glance,simplifying tasks and decreasing workload. Upgrade commonality broughtby the AMP offers additional flexibility in assigning aircrewsregardless of the model design type.£ The Air Force initiated the C-130 AMP program to reduce the numberof C-130 configurations in the fleet, including highly specializedversions in service with the Air Force Special Operations Command.U.S. Navy, Marines and international customers will be able toleverage work accomplished on the Air Force program to ensure theirC-130 crews have the most capable C-130 aircraft available.£ Smiths Aerospace, a part of Smiths Group, is a leadingtransatlantic aerospace systems and equipment company, with more than11,000 employees and $2 billion revenues worldwide. The company holdskey positions in the supply chains of all major military and civilaircraft and engine manufacturers and is a world-leader in digital,electrical power, mechanical systems, engine components and customerservices. Copyright Business Wire 2006Related Shares:
Smiths Group