Boeing

Boeing [NYSE: BA] has selected Messier-Dowty of Velizy, France, to provide the main and nose landing gear for the all-new 7E7 Dreamliner passenger plane.

Boeing and Messier-Dowty, a Snecma Group company, are in final negotiations, with a signed contract expected in the coming weeks.

"Our progress in terms of picking team members is on pace with our program plan," said Boeing 7E7 Senior Vice President Mike Bair. "Messier-Dowty is a great addition."

The 7E7 Dreamliner is an all-new family of mid-sized airplanes that will provide exceptional fuel efficiencies for airlines and superior comfort for passengers. The airplane is expected to enter service in 2008.

"Messier-Dowty is delighted," said Chairman and CEO Louis Le Portz. "This will be our first prime contract with Boeing for a commercial aircraft. It culminates 12 years of supporting Boeing's product development studies. It is of great significance to us and our parent company Snecma."

Messier-Dowty supplies landing gear for several Boeing military aircraft, including the F/A-18, AV-8B, T-45 and the V-22. It also has a substantial sub-contract element for the Boeing 777 passenger airplane's landing gear.