Boeing

Boeing [NYSE: BA] is expanding Smiths Aerospace's work on the all-new 7E7 Dreamliner, selecting the United Kingdom-based company to supply the passenger airplane's landing gear actuation including control systems and the high lift actuation system.

Smiths joined the 7E7 team in February when Boeing named it supplier of the airplane's common core system, an integrated avionics platform that's key to the 7E7's open-systems architecture.

"We're making great progress bringing our team together," said Boeing 7E7 Senior Vice President Mike Bair. "The selection process has been very robust, making us confident that we're selecting the companies that will help us deliver an outstanding product to our customers."

Smiths landing-gear work complements the landing-gear structure work that will be done by Messier-Dowty.

Smiths will provide the nose gear steering system, the brake control and indication system, and the main and nose landing gear/gear door actuation system. It will also provide the flight deck interfaces and electronics required to provide a fully integrated landing gear system package.

This part of Smiths' 7E7 work will be led from the company's Washington state facility, with work also completed in Michigan and England.

The high lift actuation system includes all the elements required to power, actuate and monitor the 7E7's flap and slat system. That work will be led from the Smiths' facility in Wolverhampton, England.

Dr. John Ferrie, Smiths Aerospace's group managing director, said, the additional 7E7 work "is based on our ability to integrate mechanical engineering and electronic control systems to provide value for commercial airplanes. We're committed to a long and successful relationship with Boeing as a partner on the 7E7 and other programs."