17 July 2006 ? Farnborough UK ? Smiths Aerospace has been awarded a contract to supply the new SDS-5000 large area cockpit display system for the new Future Lynx Helicopter by AgustaWestland. The contact includes the implementation of the Smiths large area display suite capability on seventy (70) Future Lynx aircraft for the UK Ministry of Defence. The display suite will be manufactured by Smiths in Cheltenham United Kingdom . Design and development has commenced and deliveries to AgustaWestland will start in 2008. 

Smiths' cockpit display system on the Future Lynx enhances operational and maintenance efficiencies through commonality with other MOD and AgustaWestland cockpit display suites such as the EH101 and Super Lynx 300. Smiths has signed a relationship charter for the Future Lynx programme, underpinning supply chain behaviours in line with the Defence Industrial Strategy.

The Smiths Aerospace 10? x 8? (25 cm x 20 cm) liquid crystal displays provide more than 70% additional display area compared to the existing Smiths' SDS-4000 display system which it replaces. The system allows for variable display formats to present enhanced situational awareness and greater flexibility in the display of flight, system and mission data. Each display unit has multi-functional bezel mounted keys to easily select information required.

About Future Lynx: The AgustaWestland Future Lynx is powered by two powerful LHTEC CTS800 engines each rated at 1,361-shp and utilises Super Lynx 300 technology, an all new 4-blade tail rotor, and a new 12,000-hour fatigue life airframe. Future Lynx with its CTS800 engines will have greatly improved performance, compared to the existing UK MoD Lynx, especially when operating in hot and high environments. An all new avionics systems and new mission sensors will greatly enhance the aircraft's capability in all its land, littoral and maritime missions.