GEOFF THOMAS

Leading transatlantic company Smiths Aerospace announced at Le Bourget yesterday that it has won substantial orders on two major international programmes for its thrust reverser technology.

Smiths Aerospace Actuation Systems' business in Los Angeles has been selected to design and make the thrust reverser actuation system (TRAS) for CFM's CF34-10 engine. On current aircraft sales projections, this contract could be worth upwards of $20 million over the next decade. The second contract goes to Smiths Aerospace Electronic Systems' business in Long Island, which has been chosen to produce the thrust reverser control units (TRCUs) for an estimated 200 Dassault Falcon 2000EX business jets.

Integrator

The CF34-10 is the engine of choice for two of the most recently launched regional jet programmes, the Embraer ERJ 190 and Fairchild Dornier's 928JET.

Smiths Aerospace's responsibility includes the role of system integrator and the Los Angeles business will team up with its sister company in Wolverhampton, UK, in designing and making a range of equipment.

The TRCU is a fully-contained electric control unit that looks after the deployment and stowing of a thrust reverser, as well as providing cockpit feedback of its position and any system failures. Smiths Aerospace Actuation Systems' (formerly Dowty) businesses in LA and Wolverhampton have built up a world-leading position in the design and manufacture of thrust reverser actuation systems. They are well-established on Boeing's 737, 757 and 777 aircraft as well as on Bombardier¹s Global Express and the Gulfstream V.

Source: Flight Daily News