Successful UH-60 Flight Tests for Smiths: Smiths Ground Proximity and Voice Messaging Successful on UH-60, CH-53.

Business Editors

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 24, 2004

Smiths Aerospace and the Israeli Air Force successfully concluded flight testing of an integrated Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) and Voice Message Unit (VMU) on an Israeli UH-60 helicopter. The system development and aircraft integration was a joint effort between Smiths Aerospace, Cubic Defense Applications, and the Israel Air Force (IAF). The testing concluded the flight trial phase. Operational evaluations for both the UH-60 and CH-53 aircraft, commenced in late November. Successful flight tests of the GPWS/VMU system on the Israeli CH-53 were conducted in January 2003. Proof kit installations have recently started and the production series installations are planned for this spring.

The project capitalizes on the inherent growth provision of Smiths Integrated Data Acquisition Recorder (IDAR) on the IAF CH-53 and UH-60s with the addition of GPWS and Voice Messaging within the IDAR. The program is valued at about $4M to Smiths. The upgrade includes adding a single circuit board to the recorder and minor aircraft wiring changes. The ability to add functionality within the IDAR is a significant advantage in terms of weight reduction and cost savings.

The system performed well on all flights and demonstrated the benefits of the audible alerts in providing pilots the reaction time necessary to avoid Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) accidents. The system was evaluated during UH-60 low-level operational flights and its warning mechanisms were revised to provide CFIT warning for these missions without exhibiting nuisance alarms. Testing included system warnings for CFIT, altitude loss following take off, potential tail strike situations, unsafe gear position, excessive bank angle, descent below the radar altimeter low altitude warning settings, and Voice Messaging Unit (VMU) warnings.

Smiths Aerospace is the leading transatlantic aerospace equipment company, with more than 9,000 staff and $1.6 billion revenues split between Europe and North America. Smiths Aerospace, a part of Smiths Group plc, holds key positions in the supply chains of all major military and civil aircraft and engine manufacturers and is a world-leader in electronic and mechanical systems, engine components and customer services.