Among the exhibitors looking on proudly when the A380 arrived at Le Bourget on the eve of the show was Smiths Aerospace (Chalet A301-304), which expects to supply equipment to the value of more than $1 billion over the life of the programme.
The transatlantic engineering group's contribution includes the landing-gear extension and retraction system, landing-gear actuation, air-generation system actuators, flap and slat actuation, fabricated assemblies for the wing, and a video-switching multiplexer, the Concentrator and Multiplexer for Video (CMV).
A CMV was aboard the A380 first flight in April and production deliveries for installation on aircraft and simulators are under way. Value of the A380 CMV contract to Smiths is put at more than $30 million over the life of the programme.
The CMV is designed to process and switch video signals for delivery to the flight deck. Typical video applications include imagery from external cameras to assist during taxiing, flight-deck door and cabin surveillance, smoke detection in the cargo and avionics bays, and airport navigation graphics. Smiths is developing a similar system for the C-130 avionics modernisation programme.
Smiths' engine thrust-reverser expertise is reflected in two recent developments related to the Russian Regional Jet (RRJ) and Embraer ERJ190 programmes. Safran Group company Aircelle, responsible for the RRJ engine nacelle, has chosen Smiths to provide the thrust-reverser actuation system (TRAS). To be designed and manufactured at the Smiths facilities in California and Wolverhampton, England, development hardware is due to be delivered from next year. Value to Smiths over the life of the programme could exceed $35m.
Other Smiths TRAS wins in the past five years include the Airbus A318 (PW6000 powerplant), Embraer ERJ170 (CF34-8E) and ERJ190 (CF34-10E), Bombardier Challenger 300 (AS907), and Dassault Falcon 2000EX (PW308) and Falcon F7X (PW307).
Approval
The ERJ190 TRAS is supplied by Smiths to Middle River Aircraft Systems of Baltimore, which provides the thrust-reverser for the CF34-10E. The TRAS was recently awarded FAA 14 CFAR Part 33 approval, paving the way for full-system approval later this year.
Smiths has also announced the start of manufacturing work in Phase 2 of its structures facility in Suzhou, near Shanghai in China. Completed last month, the building accommodates sheet-metal and composite airframe fabrication. The workforce currently stands at about 100, a figure expected to rise to 200 as the facility comes into full production next year. Phase 1 at Suzhou, making precision-machined engine components, was opened in April last year.
The transatlantic engineering group's contribution includes the landing-gear extension and retraction system, landing-gear actuation, air-generation system actuators, flap and slat actuation, fabricated assemblies for the wing, and a video-switching multiplexer, the Concentrator and Multiplexer for Video (CMV).
A CMV was aboard the A380 first flight in April and production deliveries for installation on aircraft and simulators are under way. Value of the A380 CMV contract to Smiths is put at more than $30 million over the life of the programme.
The CMV is designed to process and switch video signals for delivery to the flight deck. Typical video applications include imagery from external cameras to assist during taxiing, flight-deck door and cabin surveillance, smoke detection in the cargo and avionics bays, and airport navigation graphics. Smiths is developing a similar system for the C-130 avionics modernisation programme.
Smiths' engine thrust-reverser expertise is reflected in two recent developments related to the Russian Regional Jet (RRJ) and Embraer ERJ190 programmes. Safran Group company Aircelle, responsible for the RRJ engine nacelle, has chosen Smiths to provide the thrust-reverser actuation system (TRAS). To be designed and manufactured at the Smiths facilities in California and Wolverhampton, England, development hardware is due to be delivered from next year. Value to Smiths over the life of the programme could exceed $35m.
Other Smiths TRAS wins in the past five years include the Airbus A318 (PW6000 powerplant), Embraer ERJ170 (CF34-8E) and ERJ190 (CF34-10E), Bombardier Challenger 300 (AS907), and Dassault Falcon 2000EX (PW308) and Falcon F7X (PW307).
Approval
The ERJ190 TRAS is supplied by Smiths to Middle River Aircraft Systems of Baltimore, which provides the thrust-reverser for the CF34-10E. The TRAS was recently awarded FAA 14 CFAR Part 33 approval, paving the way for full-system approval later this year.
Smiths has also announced the start of manufacturing work in Phase 2 of its structures facility in Suzhou, near Shanghai in China. Completed last month, the building accommodates sheet-metal and composite airframe fabrication. The workforce currently stands at about 100, a figure expected to rise to 200 as the facility comes into full production next year. Phase 1 at Suzhou, making precision-machined engine components, was opened in April last year.
Source: Flight Daily News
