Scott Starrett, vice-president and general manager, Honeywell Defence and Space Market Segment, (Stand A712) is keen to prove that the company is not a one-trick pony.
"Aerospace is the biggest slice of our corporate portfolio, worth $8.9 billion a year. We have 37,500 employees in 61 countries, but still some people think we are just in the commercial aircraft business," says Starrett.
"We also have a very significant business based around ground-based defence and are poised to be a major player in the future combat systems market too."
He says Honeywell is going through a transformation, using skills gained in core technologies such as retrofits, modifications and upgrades to increase its presence in the homeland security, precision strike, military space systems and missile defence market segments.
"We have always been the leader in safety systems, such as TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems) and EGPWS (Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Systems). We're a company that has been through an interesting and busy time and I think we now have stronger support for the defence portfolio than we have ever had.
Backlog
"The war on terror is pushing up defence spending and we have the core platforms to grow that side of the business. We also have the capabilities to be a major player in the field of network-centric warfare," Starrett says.
The company is building upon its technical achievements too. Honeywell Laboratories is moving on from the ubiquitous ring-laser gyro to advanced applications using MEMS (Micro-Electromechanical systems). Its key products include MEMS-based gyro, plus gas sensors, actuators and micropower sources. Vehicle Health Management is also seen as a growth area with great hopes pinned on Honeywell's involvement with the second-generation Reusable Launch Vehicle.
But Honeywell is not forsaking its core business either. The aftermarket and upgrade segment is also one that Honeywell is pursuing with a vengeance.
Its T55-714A engine for the Chinook helicopter is now being used in six countries, offering greater hot-lift capabilities, greater range and improved maintainability. The -714A has paved the way for further work on the AH-1S engine conversion for the Bell Huey II.
"In 2003 our win rate was 84%. We have a nice backlog and plenty of business going forward. Although we forecast a fairly flat 2004 we have the skills to carry the business forward into the future," Starrett says.
STEVE NICHOLS
Source: Flight Daily News
