Curtiss-Wright Corporation has announced it has been awarded a £20 million (US$26.4 million) multi-year contract by the Belgian Air Force to modernise its aircraft arresting systems.
Under the agreement, Curtiss-Wright will supply new cable systems and related turnkey services to three airbases, preparing for the arrival of the F-35 aircraft in Belgium and ensuring effective emergency takeoff and landing capabilities. The contract also includes various services, spares, repair, and overhaul to support the Belgian Air Force's military flight operations.
Lynn M. Bamford, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Curtiss-Wright Corporation, commented, “As a leading global supplier of military aircraft arresting systems and support capabilities, Curtiss-Wright is proud to enhance our existing relationship with the Belgian Air Force by providing new systems, aftermarket, and logistical services to support the availability and longevity of its arresting capability. This contract also highlights the growing demand for our technologies in support of our NATO defence allies and partners.”
Curtiss-Wright will progressively equip the main and parallel runways at Florennes, Kleine-Brogel, and Beauvechain Air Bases to ensure uniformity across all airbase configurations. The ESCO SmartArrest® system, a sophisticated, computerised version of the ESCO BAK-12 energy absorber, will be used to facilitate the arrestment of multiple fighter jet platforms.
The work will be carried out by Curtiss-Wright's EMS division within the Naval & Power segment. The manufacturing of energy absorbers and BAK-12 mobile systems (PortArrest®) will take place at its facility in Aston, Pennsylvania, while retractable hook cable systems will be produced at its Merpins, France facility. Additionally, a ten-year maintenance contract for services, spares, repair, and overhaul will be managed at the Merpins facility, which has a history of supporting NATO European customers.
