CHARLOTTE, N.C., 15 Feb. 2012. Goodrich Corp. (NYSE:GR), a member of the industry team building the Sikorsky Aircraft S-97 Raider next-generation helicopter scheduled for U.S. military evaluation in 2014, will deliver high-speed flexible couplings, an advanced tail propulser drive shaft system, a SmartProbe air data system, and a lightweight, efficient LED lighting system. These avionics systems and components will be developed and produced by Goodrich teams in Rome, N.Y., Burnsville, Minn., and Oldsmar, Fla.

"Goodrich's selection was based on its capabilities to contribute high-performance, reliable, low-weight technologies that are easily integrated into the new rotorcraft design," says Steve Croke, vice president of Goodrich Power Transmission Systems. "Our advanced systems have the maturity required to meet the team's goal to achieve first flight in 2014."

The drive system is designed to deliver a significant weight advantage over traditional helicopter drive systems, while also providing rugged reliability and damage tolerance for continued operation in battlefield conditions.

The SmartProbe air data system provides weight savings, increased performance, as well as maturity from millions of operational flight hours on platforms worldwide.

The new LED lighting system offers reduced life cycle costs and less power usage than incandescent lights.

The S-97 Raider aircraft program follows Sikorsky's X2 Technology demonstrator aircraft, which flew at more than 250 knots flight speed, or twice the average cruise speed of a conventional helicopter.