Boeing 747-400 new cargo system

Citation

(2003), "Boeing 747-400 new cargo system", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 75 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2003.12775aab.036

Boeing 747-400 new cargo system

Boeing 747-400 new cargo system

Keywords: Aircraft, Boeing, Systems

TRW Aeronautical Systems (NYSE.. TRW) has been selected to supply cargo systems for the main deck and lower lobe on KLM’s three new Boeing 747–400 freighters that will be delivered this year.

KLM has selected TRW for the company’s redesigned main and lower deck cargo systems that will feature a user-friendly electronic control system, next generation 3inch power drive units and doorway power drive units, all integrated into an efficient yet rugged mechanical system.

“We are delighted to have been selected by KLM for this contract. TRW Aeronautical Systems will provide added value to KLM by acting as the total system provider, integrating the entire cargo system,” said Graham Thornton, vice president, business development. “We have worked closely with KLM to ensure that we fully understand their cargo systems operational needs.”

The systems have been designed by TRW Aeronautical Systems sites at Jamestown, North Dakota and Diamond Bar, California and will be manufactured at its Jamestown and Aurora, Ohio facilities.

Peter Bartels, senior buyer projects, Strategic Purchasing and Alliances, KLM Engineering and Maintenance, said: “KLM expects an excellent performance of the system and TRW support during introduction and operation of the system. Based on the discussions with TRW we are convinced that they can add value to our operation.”

Starting in early 2003, new passenger and freighter airplanes delivered from Boeing to airlines and cargo operators worldwide will include the new TRW supplied lightweight, digitally controlled cargo handling system as the standard furnished equipment.

TRW has also been awarded a contract by Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Integrated Systems sector to supply the drive system for the weapons bay doors on the Joint Strike Fighter. The contract covers the systems development and demonstration phase (SDD) and is valued at $21 million, with the expected total programme value to exceed $650 million.

The first hardware is scheduled to be delivered in 2004. Northrop Grumman, a principal member of the Lockheed Martin JSF team, is responsible for the integration of the center fuselage and weapons bay door drive systems as part of its work shares. TRW will work with Northrop Grumman to ensure that all objectives on the programme are met and all products are produced to the highest standards.

“This win demonstrates TRW’s strong technology capability, having the right team, world-class manufacturing processes and the experience to meet stringent customer requirements” said Mike Gardiner, vice president, product and technology development.

TRW had to overcome significant technological challenges to develop the JSF weapons bay door drive system. The Joint Strike Fighter has two weapons bay doors, one on either side of the aircraft. Each bay door is operated by independent geared transmission systems driven by hydraulic power drive units. The operation of each door is controlled by an electronic control unit, which receives its commands from the vehicle management computer.

An international team led by Lockheed Martin is under contract to develop the JSF for the United States Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. The United Kingdom, Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Italy and Turkey have also joined the programme.