Flying with Goodrich

has been awarded separate contracts worth a combined $412.8 million to provide actuators, cargo systems and landing gear axle beams for

, the

and

.

The EADS group has selected Goodrich as the sole manufacturer of the actuators for the four-stage thrust vector control system on the M51 missile program. Goodrich was previously responsible for the development and qualification of the electro-mechanical design of the first and second stage actuators.

The M51 missile program is a French Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) program employing a four-stage, solid propellant rocket. This will be the first missile program in the world to utilise high power electro- mechanical technology for thrust vector control. The actuation system was developed in partnership with Thales Airborne Systems, with Goodrich leading the electro-mechanical actuation development and Thales developing the power electronics.

Electro-Mechanical Actuation (EMA) allows for the complete removal of hydraulic systems, resulting in lower maintenance through the elimination of oil leaks, reduced life cycle costs and a reduction in systems weight.