27th Sep 2006 13:34
Smiths Aerospace has been awarded a contract to supply the newlarge area cockpit display system for the Lockheed Martin VH-71Presidential helicopter. The contact is worth more than $20 million.The first VH-71 ready to transport the President is expected to beavailable in 2009, with the entire fleet of 23 delivered to the MarineOne squadron by late 2014. The displays will be manufactured by Smithsin Michigan and United Kingdom, with deliveries beginning in 2006. £ "The VH-71 marks the first time a helicopter has flown with afive-screen, large area integrated cockpit display suite," commentedDr. John Ferrie, President, Smiths Aerospace. "Smiths is delighted toprovide this technology for enhanced situational awareness and displayof flight data on the Presidential helicopter." £ Smiths and AgustaWestland successfully completed the engine flighttrials on CIV01 (civilian version of the EH101) helicopter equippedwith prototypes of the new Smiths display system in 2005. £ Smiths' 10" x 8" (25 cm x 20 cm) liquid crystal displays providemore than 70% additional display area compared to the existing Smiths'display system which it replaces from the EH101. The system allows forvariable display formats to present enhanced situational awareness andgreater flexibility in the display of flight, system and mission data.Each display unit has multi-functional bezel mounted keys to easilyselect information required. £ Smiths Aerospace, a part of Smiths Group, is a leadingtransatlantic aerospace systems and equipment company, with more than11,000 employees and $2 billion revenues globally. 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. www.smiths-aerospace.com £ About Team VH-71: Team VH-71 is led by Lockheed Martin SystemsIntegration - Owego, which serves as the prime contractor and systemsintegrator for the American-built US101 aircraft, an American variantof AgustaWestland's successful EH101 multi-mission helicopter. TheUS101 team collectively brings unmatched rotorcraft expertise andexperience to this program: Lockheed Martin (prime contractor andsystems integration), AgustaWestland (aircraft design) and BellHelicopter (aircraft production), while General Electric will supplyeach helicopter with three, 2,500 shaft-horsepower CT7-8E engines. Copyright Business Wire 2006Related Shares:
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