6 October 2003

As worldwide attention is drawn to the accuracy and integrity of navigation data, the Smiths NDBIT comparison and reporting feature offers users the ability to monitor cycle-to-cycle changes to an electronic navigation database. When included in a comprehensive data integrity program, NDBIT represents a vital cost effective tool allowing users to create and implement a navigation data monitoring program capable of addressing regulatory requirements associated with RNAV and RNP operations. No other supplier of flight management systems provides a tool that performs comparisons at the "binary" or "packed data" level. Airlines, navigation data suppliers, procedure design consultants, state or national agencies and others concerned with the integrity of navigation data will use the tool.

Airline flight operation departments will use this tool to verify the contents of the navigation database updates that they receive from their navigation data suppliers. If a change to a procedure is indicated by NDBIT, the procedure can be analyzed to verify that the procedure performs as required.

Smiths Aerospace is the leading transatlantic aerospace equipment company with its 12,000 staff and nearly $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.