Boeing

Four of the world's leading aerospace companies have combined forces with Boeing [NYSE:BA] to form the Boeing Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) industry team. This is a crucial step toward making the 737 MMA the most cost-effective solution to the U.S. Navy's maritime patrol requirement.

Boeing and partners CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and Smiths Aerospace are focused on winning the MMA prime contractor selection in early 2004.

"Boeing and the 737 MMA industry team are committed to providing the most affordable and effective multi-mission aircraft possible," said Jack Zerr, MMA program manager for Boeing. "The team represents the best the aerospace industry has to offer in technical and managerial expertise. We hope that by working together to identify needed technologies and total system solutions that we can identify and reduce program risks and costs early enough to make a difference."

CFM International, a 50/50 joint company of General Electric USA, and Snecma, France, provides the CFM56 military engines that power the Boeing 737 MMA. The 54,000 pounds of combined thrust provided by the CFM56-7B27A engines delivers unparalleled performance from the world's most reliable high-bypass turbofan. The engines deliver an industry leading .003 percent in-flight shut down rate per every 1,000 hours of flight.

Northrop Grumman's Baltimore-based Electronic Systems sector will provide the electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor, the directional infrared countermeasures system, and the electronic support measures system. Northrop Grumman's Information Technology sector, based in Herndon, Va., will develop data links for MMA.

Northrop Grumman Corp. is a $25 billion global defense company headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. The company provides technologically advanced, innovative products, services and solutions in systems integration, defense electronics, information technology, advanced aircraft, shipbuilding and space technology. With about 120,000 employees and operations in all 50 states and 25 countries, Northrop Grumman serves U.S. and international military, government and commercial customers.

As an integral part of Boeing's MMA industry team, Raytheon will provide the APS-137 Maritime Surveillance Radar and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) solutions. Raytheon is also offering its revolutionary GPS Anti-Jam, Integrated Friend or Foe, and Towed Decoy Self-Protection Suites, and the aircraft's Broadcast Info System (BIS) and UHF Satcom capability.

Raytheon Company, with 2002 sales of $16.8 billion, is an industry leader in defense, government and commercial electronics, space, information technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs more than 76,000 people worldwide.

Smiths Aerospace supplies both the Flight Management and Stores Management systems on the Boeing 737 MMA. The Flight Management System provides a truly integrated open architecture that is CNS/ATM compatible along with an inherent growth path for upgrades. The Stores Management System provides a comprehensive system for the electronic control of integrated weapons management.

Smiths is a world leader in integrated, open architectures for military avionics and control systems, supplying flight management and mission management systems throughout the world.

"Our team stands ready to provide the U.S. Navy with an unbeatable solution for anti-submarine warfare in the 21st century," said Zerr. "We have the knowledge and the experience necessary to provide a team-based solution to our customer's requirements."