News Clips

June 14th, 1999

Dowty Aerospace Hydraulics (DAH), a member of TI Group, has been selected, by Messier-Dowty, to supply pitch trimmers for both the main and centre line landing gear on the new Airbus A340-500/600 aircraft. The centre line gear (CLG) pitch trimmer positions the CLG bogie for retraction and for landing and it absorbs energy during landing and taxi. This is a new product not required on the original Airbus A330/A340 landing gear and DAH is working in partnership with Messier-Bugatti, which is integrating the CLG control manifold. The two main landing gear (MLG) pitch trimmers position the two MLG bogies for landing and provide damping during landing and taxi. This is a revised design which can also be fitted for use on the original Airbus A330/A340 aircraft. This award follows hot on the heels of other recently announced Dowty Group successes on the Airbus A340-500/600. Dowty will be supplying hydraulic and actuation systems and aircraft structures, together with turbine engine components on each of the engines chosen to power these aircraft - in total worth well in excess of US $ 50 million on orders already announced by Airbus Industrie.

The Airbus transporter fleet is increased by another Beluga to five aircraft. Assembly of the fifth giant transporter will start in August 1999. Delivery is scheduled for the first half of 2001. Its construction is necessary to ensure a smooth flow of large aircraft components between the individual Airbus partner companies to met increased production rates. When available the aircraft will be used on non Airbus tasks.

Marconi Avionics Portsmouth, have completed the installation of a new Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) on-board the Queen of England's latest Sikorsky S-76C+ helicopter. The system was installed by Sikorsky at their West Palm Beach facility for Air Hanson who are responsible to the Royal Household for the Queen's helicopter operations. HUMS will provide a significant increase in system monitoring capability and reduce the cost of operations for the aircraft by providing a detailed view of operating systems performance and status. The Marconi Avionics HUMS is the only system currently available fully certified for use on the S-76C+.

The Japanese Defence Agency and Shin Maywa Industries have selected the Dowty R414 advanced composite bladed propeller system for the US-i A Kai amphibian aircraft to be used by the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force for search and rescue activities. The initial contract covers two sets of propeller equipment for ground testing and is due to be followed by an order for ten sets to support the development phase. The Dowty propeller system will be matched with the Rolls-Royce Allison AE 2100 engine, the combination that currently powers the Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130J and Lockheed Martin/Alenia C-27J military transport aircraft.