TRW To Provide Upgraded Power Transmission Shafts for U.S. Navy's F/A-18 C/D Aircraft Fleet

16 October 2000

TRW To Provide Upgraded Power Transmission Shafts for U.S. Navy's F/A-18 C/D Aircraft Fleet

    Business Editors

    SOLIHULL, England--Oct. 16, 2000--TRW Aeronautical Systems (Lucas Aerospace) has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy to retrofit its entire F/A-18 C/D aircraft fleet with a newly designed power transmission shaft. The contract is valued at $7 million over the next two years.
    The redesigned, titanium power transmission shaft, which transmits power from the engine to the aircraft mounted accessory drive gearbox, demonstrated a significant reduction in vibration and increase in system critical speed in both preliminary bench and aircraft testing. The shaft, which is designed and manufactured at TRW Aeronautical Systems' facility in Utica, N.Y., has completed final acceptance testing and has met all qualification requirements. Each F/A-18 aircraft is fitted with two shafts.
    "We were pleased to be given the opportunity to engineer an improved design that demonstrates significant improvements in both vibration and critical speed," said Klaus Fuchs, Vice President, Technology and Engineering for TRW Aeronautical Systems. "The solution was the result of a proactive team effort between the U.S. Navy, Northrop Grumman and TRW, and the award reaffirms TRW's world-leading technology in the area of high-speed shafts."
    TRW Aeronautical Systems (Lucas Aerospace) provides the global aerospace industry with high integrity systems and equipment in engine controls, flight controls, missile systems, power generation and management, cargo handling, hoists and winches, and flexible shafts and couplings, all backed by a worldwide customer support organization. For company news and information, visit www.trw-aeronautical.com.
    TRW Inc. provides high-technology products and services to the automotive, aerospace and information technology markets worldwide. The company's news releases are available through TRW's corporate Web site at www.trw.com.