28th Sep 2006 09:00
Smiths Aerospace has been awarded a contract with a potentialvalue of more than $10 million to provide performance-based logistics(PBL) in support of the rotor actuation system on the H-60 aircraft.The work is taking place at Smiths' facility in New Jersey and isexpected to be complete in 2008. £ "Our objective is to enhance equipment, and therefore aircraft,availability and reduce the customer's cost of ownership," noted Dr.John Ferrie, President, Smiths Aerospace. "An integrated supportapproach enables us to efficiently manage the supply chain for ourcustomers." £ The contract supports the U.S. Navy through Maritime HelicopterSupport Company, a joint venture between Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin,who holds a prime contract with the Navy for broader H-60 support. Thecontract includes support for the rotor actuation systems installed onthe MH-60R, MH-60S SH-60B, SH-60F and HH-60H aircraft. £ Smiths Aerospace was one of the first aerospace companies tointroduce PBL programs in 1997 with a program to support the RAFHercules SCNS (Self-Contained Navigation System). This was quicklyfollowed by a second RAF support PBL, this time to guarantee theavailability of LRU displays for the Tornado GR4. Smiths also has oneof the first U.S. Navy PBLs, a 15- year firm fixed price contractsigned in 1998, for the Stores Management System (SMS) on the U.S.Navy and U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 and AV-8B aircraft. Under theprogram Smiths Aerospace manages the inventory for some 350 differentspares, along with forecasting requirements, managing unit repairs andtransportation and is responsible for managing component obsolescence.This was followed early this year by award of the F/A-18 StoresManagement System Upgrade (SMUG) PBL in support of F/A-18s. £ About the H-60: The MH-60R/S is designed to support the Navy'sHelicopter Master Plan and meet Fleet Combat Support Aircraft missionrequirements. The MH-60S is an amalgam of the Sikorsky UH-60L BLACKHAWK helicopter and its Navy variant, the SH-60B SEAHAWK(R)helicopter. MH-60S helicopter missions include Vertical Replenishment,Combat Search and Rescue, Special Warfare Support and Airborne MineCountermeasures, where it will be outfitted with a variety of systemsto further serve the fleet. £ Smiths Aerospace, a part of Smiths Group, is a leadingtransatlantic aerospace systems and equipment company, with more than$2 billion revenue and 11,000 employees 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 Copyright Business Wire 2006Related Shares:
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