- System will contribute to condition-based maintenance, lower operating cost for new heavy lift helicopter
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 25, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Goodrich
Corporation (NYSE: GR) has received a development contract from Sikorsky
Aircraft Corporation to equip the CH-53K heavy lift helicopter Sikorsky is
developing for the U.S. Marine Corps, with an Integrated Vehicle Health
Management System (IVHMS). Work will be performed by Goodrich's Sensors and
Integrated Systems team in Vergennes, Vt.
The CH-53K helicopter is a modern version of the existing CH-53E aircraft
with all-new digital avionics, and the increased range and lift capability the
Marine Corp requires. The aircraft is scheduled for introduction into service
in 2015. The Goodrich IVHMS for the CH-53K helicopter builds upon the
successful Integrated Mechanical Diagnostic Systems that Goodrich provides for
the CH-53E helicopter and the condition-based maintenance practices being
enabled by this earlier generation system. The IVHMS on the newer CH-53K model
system will monitor additional aircraft subsystems to provide the Marines with
a complete health assessment of the aircraft.
"The CH-53K will perform the most urgent and demanding heavy-lift
missions, and the Marines need to know their aircraft are ready and able to
execute these missions on short notice," said Jan Mathiesen, Vice President,
Goodrich Sensors and Integrated Systems. "The data this system provides to
operators and maintainers translates directly into increased mission readiness
rates with lower overall maintenance and operating costs. Our battle-proven
experience on multiple Marine Corps and U.S. Army helicopters means CH-53K
operators will receive a system that is mature, robust and a true combat
multiplier."
The IVHMS will monitor the CH-53K helicopter's entire mechanical drive
train from the engines to the rotor system, and hundreds of aircraft systems.
The comprehensive health information provided will avoid costly, lengthy
repairs or surprises that impact the aircraft's ability to execute a mission.
Goodrich is the world's leading provider of health management systems for
helicopters, with applications on the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps MH-60 R/S
helicopters, AH-1Z, UH-1Y and CH-53 E/K models; the U.S. Army's UH-60 A/L/M
and CH-47D models; and the commercial Sikorsky S-92(R) helicopter and S-
76D(TM) helicopter platforms.
Goodrich Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading global supplier
of systems and services to the aerospace and defense industry. Serving a
global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and service
facilities, Goodrich is one of the largest aerospace companies in the world.
For more information, visit http://www.goodrich.com.
Goodrich Corporation operates through its divisions and as a parent
company for its subsidiaries, one or more of which may be referred to as
"Goodrich Corporation" in this press release.
S-92(R) and S-76D(TM) are trademarks of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.
SOURCE Goodrich Corporation; GR - Electronic Systems
CONTACT: Laurie Tardif, +1-704-423-7048, or Lisa Bottle,
+1-704-423-7060, both of Goodrich Corporation
