New contract opens doors

and

(CSD) have been selected by

to provide the Weapons Bay Door Drive System for the P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) program. A derivative of the Boeing Next-Generation 737-800, the P-8A MMA is being developed for the United States Navy.

The Weapons Bay Door Drive System opens and closes large doors installed on the bottom of the aircraft allowing the deployment of weapons or surveillance devices during flight.

Curtiss-Wright will provide the rotary actuators, angle gearboxes, torque shafts and the electronic control unit. Parker Aerospace will provide the power drive unit, up-lock mechanisms and system integration.

The Navy plans to purchase 108 P-8As to replace its fleet of P-3C aircraft. The P-8A is a long-range surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, capable of broad-area, maritime and littoral operations, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and intelligence.

The Curtiss-Wright components for the system will be designed and produced in Gastonia and Shelby, NC and Irwindale, CA. Initial hardware deliveries will begin in mid-2007. The first aircraft is expected to be delivered for flight test in 2009 and initial operational capability is scheduled for 2013.