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US101 Flies With Smiths' New Large Area Cockpit Display Suite

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Nov. 15, 2004 -- Team US101 successfully completed the first flight of the US101 medium-lift helicopter equipped with the new Smiths Aerospace SDS-5000 large area cockpit display system. Team US101, led by Lockheed Martin, selected the Smiths Aerospace system, marking the first time a helicopter has flown with a five-screen, large area integrated cockpit display suite. This cockpit will be used for the Team US101 Presidential Helicopter Replacement (VXX) program bid.

The 10" x 8" (25 cm x 20 cm) liquid crystal displays provide more than 70% additional display area compared to the existing Smiths' SDS-4000 display system which it replaces. The system allows for variable display formats to present enhanced situational awareness and greater flexibility in the display of flight, system and mission data. Each display unit has multi-functional bezel mounted keys to easily select information required.

The US101 program is valued at more than $9 million to the Smiths Aerospace Electronic Systems business headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The U.S. Navy's VXX award decision is expected in late December 2004.

Smiths Aerospace is the leading transatlantic aerospace equipment and systems company, with nearly $2 billion sales and more than 10,000 staff split between Europe and North America. Smiths holds key positions in the supply chains on all major military and civil aircraft and engine manufacturers. Strategically organized businesses focus on digital, electrical and mechanical systems, engine components and customer services.

Team US101 is led by Lockheed Martin Systems Integration -- Owego, which serves as the prime contractor and systems integrator for the American-built US101 aircraft, an American variant of AgustaWestland's successful EH101 multimission helicopter. The US101 team collectively brings unmatched rotorcraft expertise and experience to this program: Lockheed Martin (prime contractor and systems integration), AgustaWestland (aircraft design) and Bell Helicopter (aircraft production), while General Electric will supply each helicopter with three, 2,500 shaft-horsepower CT7-8E engines.

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Jennifer Villarreal
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