Source: DTN News / Goodrich Corporation
(NSI News Source Info) CHARLOTTE, N.C.,- April 22, 2010: Goodrich Corporation (NYSE:GR - News) has been awarded a firm fixed price contract from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding to manufacture lightweight, composite sail cusps for the next eight Virginia-class nuclear fast attack submarines, collectively referred to as Block III. The scope of the award includes tooling design, production, and fabrication of eight sail cusps at Goodrich's Engineered Polymer Products facility in Jacksonville, Fla. Delivery of the first sail cusp is scheduled for the second quarter 2011. 
The Virginia class submarine is the newest addition to the fast attack fleet. This new class was designed to be a cheaper alternative to the Seawolf class and ultimately replace the aging Los Angeles class submarines. There are currently 4 commissioned Virginia class submarines with a total of a 17 planned fleet of Virginia class submarines. These submarines are using a new approach to cost effective building, Commercial of the Shelf (COTS). This approach utilizes more equipment that isn't specifically built for a submarine reducing overall equipment costs.
The sail cusp is a single-piece composite structure attached to the submarine sail and hull. The complex shape of this lightweight fairing allows for smooth laminar flow of water over its surface, thereby improving hydrodynamic performance of the submarine.
"This award represents an opportunity to demonstrate our capability to manufacture a large, complex-shaped multi-material structure," said Jim Pollock, vice president, Engineered Polymer Products. "Our dedicated team of engineers and manufacturing experts is committed to delivering the first production composite sail cusp that is an affordable, lightweight, and low maintenance alternative to steel."
The Virginia-class submarine is the U.S. Navy's newest nuclear fast-attack submarine class. It was designed from the keel up for the full range of mission requirements in the post-Cold War era, including anti-submarine and surface ship warfare; delivering special operation forces; strike; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare.
Goodrich provides a wide range of composite product content for the Virginia-class submarines, involving nearly a dozen different composites and advanced material systems. The company announced in January that it had received a contract from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding to provide composite components for the next eight Virginia-class submarines in Block III, with deliveries scheduled through 2013.
Goodrich's Engineered Polymer Products team specializes in developing, manufacturing, testing and servicing acoustic and structural composite products. The division's technology is in use in both military and commercial applications. For more information visit http://www.goodrich.com/epp
Goodrich Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a global supplier of systems and services to aerospace, defense and homeland security markets. With one of the most strategically diversified portfolios of products in the industry, Goodrich serves a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and service facilities. For more information visit http://www.goodrich.com/.
Goodrich Corporation operates through its divisions and as a parent company for its subsidiaries, one or more of which may be referred to as "Goodrich Corporation" in this press release.
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