Smiths Aerospace has been selected to provide the landing gear and high-lift actuation systems for the Boeing 7E7, in a contract valued at over £1.6 billion ($2.9 billion). As reported by Flight International last month, Smiths beat off competition from Goodrich and Messier-Bugatti to provide the 7E7's nose gear steering system (Flight International, 11-17 May). It will also supply the brake control and indication system, and the flightdeck interfaces and electronics to support a fully integrated landing-gear system package.
"Commercial terms in the end probably separated the participants," says Boeing's senior vice-president for the 7E7 programme Mike Bair.
The UK company has already been contracted to provide the core computing system, which will control the avionics and utilities. "The revenue is expected to approach $3 billion for Smiths over the lifetime of the aircraft," says Smith Group chief executive Keith Butler-Wheelhouse. Bair says only a few more subcontracts remain to be allocated. He says the workshare is similar to other Boeing programmes, with around 70% being subcontracted.
Source: Flight International
