Northrop Grumman Selects Smiths For J-UCAS Landing Gear System
Santa Ana, CA - Northrop Grumman has selected Smiths Aerospace to supply the Landing Gear System for the X-47B Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) aircraft in a contract worth more than $150 million over the program's life. The first system delivery is scheduled for the first quarter of 2006 from Smiths' Santa Ana, California facility.
Dr. John Ferrie, President, Smiths Aerospace commented, "Smiths selection as a tier 1 supplier for the X-47B J-UCAS underscores the value of our recent acquisition of Integrated Aerospace. Our combined offering enable us to provide a complete landing gear system for the J-UCAS and for the rapidly expanding UAV market."
The X-47B J-UCAS landing gear system is uniquely designed to endure the challenges and rigors of catapult take-offs and arrested landings on U.S. Navy aircraft carriers at sea. Smiths is responsible for the design, development, certification and manufacturing of a fully integrated system. Due to the demanding mission profiles required for this advanced carrier platform, the landing gear system will incorporate the latest technology advancements in hydraulically actuated steering control as well as anti-skid braking systems and corrosion resistant materials.
Smiths combined systems make it the largest non-partner equipment supplier to the X-47B J-UCAS.
- Landing Gear System (Santa Ana CA)
- Holdback bar mechanism for the carrier catapult system (Yakima WA)
- Retraction actuation for the landing gear (Los Angeles CA)
- Vehicle management computers
- Electrical power generation and distribution systems
- Mission management computers
- Remote input / output units
- Fuel measurement and management through partnership with Argo-Tech
- Ground-based data link computer
Smiths Aerospace is the leading transatlantic aerospace equipment and systems company, with more than 10,000 staff and nearly $2 billion sales 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 digital, electrical and mechanical systems, engine components and customer services.
Source: Smiths Aerospace