February 12, 2007 - Corona, CA – SMITHS Aerospace, part of the global technology business Smiths Group and aerial refueling systems supplier to The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) for the KC-767A aircraft, has successfully demonstrated its hose and drogue refueling equipment during flight testing on Saturday. The February 10 test flight over Kansas demonstrated for the first time the deployment, stable flight and retraction of the refueling hose and drogue from a digitally controlled, highly reliable fuselage mounted Hose Drum Unit. Boeing’s fifth-generation KC-767 Tanker is undergoing extensive flight testing in advance of a 2007 delivery to the Italian Air Force.

“Smiths Aerospace’s advanced control law algorithms and digital controllers bring unprecedented hose deployment stability to aerial refueling equipment for the first time,” said David Bina, vice president of Tanker Programs at Smiths Aerospace. “Smiths breadth of mechanical and digital system-level experience makes it uniquely capable to integrate advanced technologies in hose and drogue refueling equipment.”

The inclusion of the centerline hose drum unit and the wing aerial refueling pods on the KC-767A provides for three-point hose and drogue refueling of probe equipped receiver aircraft. A complete system solution inclusive of the pylon, aircraft structures and internal hose drum electrical, hydraulic, and fuel subsystems is integrated to provide highly reliable and easily maintained hose and drogue refueling systems.

“Trailing the centerline Hose Drum Unit is another significant milestone in meeting our commitments to our Italian customer and it demonstrates the advanced technology Boeing will bring forward for the U.S. Air Force’s KC-X Tanker competition,” said Mark McGraw, Boeing vice president for Tanker Programs.

Smiths Aerospace also provides the aerial refueling boom control actuation system, which began flight testing in September 2006 as part of an exhaustive series of air-refueling tests. Boeing will deliver the KC-767A to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force in 2007. The KC-767 Tanker has logged more than 220 flights and 660 hours during its flight test program. In addition to flight-testing the KC-767 for international customers, Boeing is competing for a contract to build the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation tanker aircraft.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $30.8 billion business. It provides network-centric system solutions to its global military, government, and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer; a foremost developer of advanced concepts and technologies; a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in sustainment solutions and launch services. Smiths Group 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 more than 250 major facilities in 50 countries. On 15 January 2007 Smiths Group announced the sale of Smiths Aerospace to General Electric Company (GE), which remains subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals. For more information visit www.smiths.com

Smiths Aerospace is a leading transatlantic aerospace systems and equipment business, with more than 11,500 employees and $2.4 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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Contacts: Jennifer Villarreal
Smiths Aerospace
1 616 241 8643 (office)
1 616 617 7755 (mobile)
jennifer.villareal3@ge.com

Bill Barksdale
Boeing Tanker Communications
1 314 232 0860 (office)
1 314 707 3294 (mobile)
william.a.barksdale@boeing.com

Kerry Gildea
Boeing Communications
1 703 414-6341 (office)
1 571 643-2313 (mobile)
kerry.a.gildea@boeing.com