NEW YORK, 12 Jan. 2007. EDO Corporation has been awarded a $13.3 million contract to produce an additional 175 BRU-55 "smart" bomb-ejector racks that are used on the Navy's F/A-18 aircraft. The contract also includes acceptance testing and non-recurring engineering and is expected to be completed in September 2008.

The BRU-55 allows carriage of two smart weapons on a single pylon, effectively doubling the capacity of the aircraft. EDO's proprietary electronics enable individual targeting and release of each weapon. The BRU-55 is compatible with the F/A-18A+ /C /D /E and /F versions.

"For decades, we have provided such equipment for the world's dominant jet fighters, including the F-15, F-16, F-22, Tornado, and Harrier," says CEO James M. Smith. "We are also developing launching systems for aircraft of the future, such as the F-35 Lightning II and the P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime aircraft."