16 June 2003

Smiths Aerospace is gearing up to a production start in 2003, while the MV-22 program itself is considering increased production rates after clearing a high-level Pentagon review on 23 May. Boeing awarded Smiths the first production order for related electric power components in April 2003. A full production contract for this new, more reliable VSCF-based main generator system is anticipated before the year-end. Production will take place at the Smiths Aerospace facility in Dayton, Ohio with deliveries beginning in 2004 and continuing throughout the life of the program.

About the V-22 Constant Frequency Generator:

The CFG is a derivative of the 40kVA Variable Speed Constant Frequency (VSCF) generator system used on numerous advanced tactical military aircraft, including the F/A-18 Hornet series, the F-117A Stealth Fighter, the U-2S Dragon Lady, and the new KAI A/T-50 Golden Eagle. The USN V-22 qualification program consists of full MIL-SPEC environmental and performance testing that began in earnest in 2001; the first flight milestone for the CFG occurred in January 2003. The new CFG offers significant benefits to the MV-22/CV-22 Osprey programs, including improved reliability, less routine maintenance, lower total ownership costs and potentially lighter weight than the legacy system it replaces.