Parker Bertea to produce flight control system for Standard Missile Blk-IV MK-72 booster.

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 1, 1996--Parker Bertea Aerospace has been selected by the Standard Missile Co. of McLean, Va., to produce the thrust vector actuation (TVA) system for the MK-72 booster on the U.S. Navy's Standard Missile Blk-IV program.

The thrust vector system will be installed on the MK-72 booster, providing roll, pitch and yaw steering control for four rocket nozzles from an advanced single-axis electromechanical system. The Standard Missile Co. has awarded Parker Bertea a low-rate initial production (LRIP) contract for a two-year period beginning in February of 1996.

"Parker Bertea conceived and designed the TVA system, which has been under development for over eight years," said Ralph Kunz, missile team leader for Parker Bertea's Control Systems Division. "Up until now, we have been producing TVAs as one of two suppliers. This award establishes Parker Bertea Aerospace as the single source for the Standard Missile and its derivatives. It is estimated that up to 10,000 Standard Missiles and derivatives will be produced in the U.S. over the next 10 years.

"Parker Bertea has significant experience in missile thrust vector controls," Kunz added. "We have produced guidance systems for all three stages of the Pegasus Missile and for the booster of the Tomahawk Missile, as well as for the second stage of the SICBM, and the first and second stages of the Polaris missile program. Just as we did on those programs, we will deliver a reliable and quality flight control system for the Standard Missile booster."

The Standard Missile Blk IV is the primary surface-to-air missile carried by U.S. Navy AEGIS-class carriers and destroyers. The SM-2 Blk IV forms the cornerstone of the Navy's follow-on development of the SM-2 Blk IVA and Navy theaterwide programming for defense against theater ballistic missiles by the turn of the century.

In 1995, the Standard Missile Blk IV successfully completed its U.S. Navy sea trials. Kunz said Parker Bertea expects to provide approximately 70 TVA systems during the LRIP phase of the program.

Parker Bertea is responsible for the design, integration, manufacturing and testing of the entire TVA system for the Standard Missile. The TVA system is an electromechanical system that consists of a thermal battery for power, electric rotary actuators for direction as well as servoelectronics for command and control.

Parker Bertea is scheduled to deliver the first TVA system in the third quarter of this year to the manufacturer of the booster.

Parker Bertea Aerospace designs, manufactures and services hydraulic, pneumatic and fuel components, systems, and related electronic controls for aircraft, space and marine high-technology markets. Based in Irvine, its product line includes flight controls, utility hydraulics, fuel measurement and management systems, air turbine starters and valves, heat exchangers, and fuel injection nozzles.

It is an operating sector of Parker Hannifin Corp. (PH-NYSE), a leading producer of motion-control components and systems for a wide range of industrial and aerospace markets. Parker Hannifin sales in fiscal 1995, ended June 30, were $3.21 billion.

CONTACT: Parker Bertea Aerospace

Cheryl Cross Morosco

714/851-3636