Goodrich Sees Growth in Military Market, but Commercial Remains Vital
Military business is becoming increasingly important for Goodrich,
a trend company officials believe will continue as Joint Strike
Fighter and other programs mature.
The key to boosting its defense component was the acquisition
of TRW's aeronautics business, bringing to 20% from about 12%
the amount of sales generated for Goodrich by military projects.
"I do expect our military content to grow," said William
L Walthall, Goodrich's president for customer services.
The company also has secured a strong position on the F-35 Joint
Strike Fighter, which should ensure future prospects for the military
segment. The company would build landing gears for all three versions
of the multirole fighter, the actuators for the large weapons
bay doors, and the drive shaft for the lift-fan on the short take-off
and vertical landing model.
The company also hopes to parlay the success of its DB-110 reconnaissance
pod used by Royal Air Force Tornado GR. Mk 4As during the recent
war against Iraq into other orders. South Korea and several other
countries are in the market for tactical reconnaissance systems.
The dual-band, digital-imaging pod flew 500 missions, about 50%
of those at night. Japan also uses the system on its P-3 maritime
patrol aircraft.
The company also believes it can make further inroads in the helicopter
hoist and winch market, where it recently won a contract from
the U.S. Army for new winches on the CH-47 Chinook. The company
is keeping a close eye on the emerging U.S. Air Force combat search
and rescue helicopter program, which could present one of the
largest hoist opportunities in the coming years.
But the commercial sector is still very much dominant, as the
Goodrich stand with an imposing Airbus A380 landing gear shows.
The company has moved away from just supplying components, but
rather is integrating all elements of a landing gear-brakes, structures,
wheels-before handing it over to Airbus or Boeing, noted Patrick
McDowell, director of business development for Goodrich's landing
gear operations.
The company in November plans to events supporting its A380 activity.
One is the opening of a test rig for the massive landing gear.
Another is the test of the evacuation slide system to company
is building, that is supposed to allow any passenger to vacate
the aircraft in an emergency within 90 seconds. Both facilities
are purpose built to handle the large size of the components.
