GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., 29 September 2006. Smiths Aerospace has been awarded a contract to supply the new large-area cockpit display system for the Lockheed Martin VH-71 Presidential helicopter.
The contact is worth more than $20 million. The displays will be manufactured by Smiths in Michigan and United Kingdom, with deliveries beginning in 2006.
The first VH-71 ready to transport the President is expected to be available in 2009, with the entire fleet of 23 delivered to the Marine One squadron by late 2014.
"The VH-71 marks the first time a helicopter has flown with a five-screen, large-area integrated cockpit display suite," comments Dr. John Ferrie, president, Smiths Aerospace.
Smiths' 10x8-inch liquid crystal displays (LCDs) provide more than 70 percent additional display area compared to the existing Smiths' display system, which it replaces from the EH101. The system allows for variable display formats to present enhanced situational awareness and greater flexibility in the display of flight, system, and mission data. Each display unit has multi-functional bezel mounted keys to easily select information required.
Team VH-71 is led by Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego, which serves as the prime contractor and systems integrator for the American-built US101 aircraft, an American variant of AgustaWestland's EH101 multi-mission helicopter.
