December 12, 2007 - Asheville, NC – SMITHS Aerospace, part of the global technology business Smiths Group, has entered into a Risk and Revenue Sharing program with GE. The program has a potential sales value to Smiths Aerospace of more than $60 million over its lifetime.

The program involves five F404 components that are manufactured at the Smiths Aerospace Components facility in Asheville, North Carolina. Under the program, Smiths will produce these parts for new and spare engines.

Deliveries will continue through 2023. Peter Wright, President, Smiths Aerospace Components, said: “Smiths has proven technical capability and strong customer relations with GE. This Risk and Revenue Sharing program represents a unique opportunity for Smiths to extend our participation on the F404 for the life of the program. We anticipate that the F404 will have decades of use in powering the F/A-18s.”

The performance and reliability of F404 engines have set the standard for modern fighter engines. The engine family powers multiple aircraft performing a broad spectrum of missions from low-level attack to high-altitude interceptors. In addition to powering the U.S. Navy’s fleet of F/A-18 A/B/C/D carrier-capable aircraft, the F404 is on other international aircraft such as the Swedish Gripen and Korean T-50 trainer. Some 3,700 of F404-GE-400 engine family have been built. The U.S. Navy inventory for the F404 is currently at more than 1,300 engines.

Smiths Group
Smiths is a global technology company, listed on the London Stock Exchange. Smiths Group is a world leader in the practical application of advanced technologies. Its products and services make the world safer, healthier and more productive. Smiths Group has four divisions: Aerospace, Detection, Medical and Specialty Engineering. It employs 32,000 people and has over 250 major facilities in 50 countries. For more information visit www.smiths.com

Smiths Aerospace
Smiths Aerospace is a leading transatlantic aerospace systems and equipment business, with more than 11,000 employees and $2.3 billion revenues globally. The business holds key positions in the supply chains of all major military and civil aircraft and engine manufacturers and is a world-leader in digital, electrical power, mechanical systems, engine components and Systems Customer Services. For further information visit www.geaviationsystems.com

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