6 October 2003

Smiths and Ideal Aerosmith jointly developed the RTS tester after listening to input from several Boeing 737 operators who wanted a simple go/no-go tester rather than a large, expensive ATE system. "Airline customers have expressed the desire for this type of cost effective test capability. We are pleased to partner with Ideal Aerosmith to make this test solution available and lower our customers' overall cost of ownership", commented Bob Haverdink, civil business director at Smiths Aerospace.

"We are happy to work with Smiths to create and deliver a tester that meets the needs of the airline community", said Mike Reed, director of marketing for Ideal Aerosmith. "The 737 operators that I have talked with are anxious to use it to lower their maintenance costs."

Ideal Aerosmith is a leading manufacturing of custom aerospace test solutions and precision motion control test systems. It is a privately held company with headquarters in East Grand Forks MN and engineering facilities in Phoenix AZ, Redmond WA, and Pomona CA. www.ideal-aerosmith.com

Smiths Aerospace is the leading transatlantic aerospace equipment company, with its 12,000 staff and $2 billion revenues split equally 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, and precision components.