Goodrich Corporation (NYSE:GR) will equip GE T700 engines powering Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk, Jayhawk and Seahawk model helicopters for the U.S. Army, Coast Guard and Navy, as well as Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopters for the U.S. Army, with a new low cost enhanced digital electronic control unit (EDECU). The EDECUs will be produced by Goodrich's Engine Control Systems – North America business in West Hartford, Conn.

In September 2009, Goodrich received a contract from the U.S. Army for 55 EDECUs, with options for 230 additional units. Prior to this, Goodrich received contracts from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and GE Aircraft Engines for more than 600 additional units. In all, nearly 1,000 firm and option EDECUs are on order for delivery now through 2011. Follow-on orders from U.S. and international customers are expected in subsequent years

The EDECU, part of the U.S. Army's "common control" for the T700 engine, includes enhanced built-in test and fault recording algorithms to aid in engine health and performance assessments. The new EDECU will replace the current engine control units on the U.S. Army, Navy and Coast Guard Apache, Black Hawk, Jayhawk and Seahawk fleets; in addition, it will be installed on new production T700 engines.

The EDECU evolved from the Universal Control technology programs sponsored by the U.S. Army to develop a single part number common control with the processing power to contain multiple application software packages, address electronics obsolescence issues, provide a work station-like platform for improved engine health condition monitoring, and reduce engine control system recurring and logistics costs. The Universal Control system architecture is part of Goodrich's portfolio of low cost full authority digital electronic engine control (FADEC) systems that have applications on a number of other military and commercial helicopter engines.

"This program will be a cornerstone for growth in our small engine controls business," said Bob Yancey, president, Engine Control and Electrical Power Systems for Goodrich. "The GE T700 engine powers more than 10 models of helicopters including the H-60 and H-64, and is the most widely used helicopter engine in its class. The Sikorsky H-60 is one of the most popular helicopters in the world, with more than 3,000 aircraft in operational service with 26 nations. And Boeing has delivered more than 1,700 AH-64 helicopters to customers around the world. We look forward to exceeding our customers' expectations as we begin delivering these new EDECUs to help our warfighters enhance their mission capability."