13 June 2005

"Smiths is pleased to play a key role in advancing the mission of the U.S. Navy's P-8A MMA. Our integrated stores management system is designed for growth and provides interoperability for network centric warfare", commented Dr. John Ferrie, President, Smiths Aerospace.

The stores management system provides a comprehensive system for the electronic control of integrated weapons management. This system is designed with standards to accommodate current and future precision weapons, including MIL-STD-1760 compliant weapons. In addition to the stores management system, Smiths supplies the flight management system, which provides a truly integrated open architecture that is CNS/ATM compliant along with an inherent growth path for upgrades. The P-8A MMA is currently worth in excess of $120 million to Smiths over the life of the programme.

The Boeing-led team, which includes CFM International, Smiths Aerospace [LSE: SMIN.L], Northrop Grumman [NYSE: NOC] and Raytheon [NYSE: RTN], will produce seven test aircraft during the program's System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase. Plans call for up to 108 aircraft to be purchased by the Navy to replace its aging fleet of 223 P-3 aircraft.

The P-8A MMA will play a critical role in the future of maritime warfare by providing the U.S. with dominance in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare as well as reconnaissance and surveillance missions. For each of the team members and thousands of employees in 37 states where the work will be performed, the P-8A represents future jobs and economic stability.

Smiths Aerospace is a leading transatlantic aerospace equipment and systems company, with more than 10,000 employees and $2 billion sales worldwide. 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 computing, electrical power, mechanical systems, engine components and Systems Customer Services. www.geaviationsystems.com