ELKTON, Md., 22 Feb. 2007. W.L. Gore & Associates in Elkton, Md., will provide electronic umbilical assemblies for the A-10 precision engagement kit under terms of a contract from Lockheed Martin Corp.

This is the second contract awarded to Gore for the A-10 program following the initial award of PE kits to the A-10 Prime Team in March 2005.

"MIL-STD-1760 umbilicals have been around for some time. However, users become very frustrated with reliability issues surrounding the release mechanism and the lack of cable flexibility for optimized routing," says Andy Crook, defense business leader at W.L. Gore.

GORE Umbilical Assemblies offer a guarantee of 100 store releases on every assembly. The design incorporates a field-replaceable connector system (FRCS) for performance and reliable store releases.

The assemblies are flexible offering optimized routing and have a proven flex-life in excess of 100,000 flexes. GORE Umbilical Assemblies are designed to withstand the harsh environment of a fighter aircraft, and successful pit drop testing at Eglin Air Force Base has proven these cables to be fit for use.

For more information contact W.L. Gore online at www.gore.com.