Magellan Wins Lockhead Martin Orion Contract
Toronto, Ontario – July 10, 2008 — Magellan Aerospace has been awarded a contract to build the development heat shields for the Orion Space Shuttle replacement program by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Division in Denver, Colorado. Magellan’s Aeronca facility in Middletown, Ohio, will develop the lightweight titanium honeycomb heat shield panels that help protect the space capsule from the temperature extremes experienced during re-entry. This US $12M contract includes engineering, tooling, hardware, and fabrication of two development heat shield panels.
In October 2007 Aeronca, Inc. was selected as the supplier of choice for the heat shields for the Orion Program shortly after NASA had selected Lockheed Martin as the prime contractor to design, develop and build the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV). Orion is the planned replacement for the space shuttle that will become the backbone of the agency’s human spaceflight program. Lockheed Martin was selected over a rival bid from Northrop Grumman and Boeing to win a contract NASA said would be potentially worth $8.15 billion. In 2010 the current space shuttle configuration will be retired and the new Orion variant is scheduled for launch in 2011.
Magellan expects to receive follow-on contracts for up to 28 production units subsequent to the completion of the development panels required for full scale testing.
About Magellan Aerospace Corporation:
Magellan Aerospace Corporation is one of the world’s most integrated and comprehensive aerospace industry suppliers. Magellan designs, engineers, and manufactures aeroengine and aerostructure assemblies and components for aerospace markets, advanced products for military and space markets, and complementary specialty products. Magellan is a public company whose shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: MAL), with operating units throughout Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.
For more information:
Elena Milantoni
Corporate Controller and Treasurer
Tel: 905 677 1889 ext. 226
e-mail: elena.milantoni@magellan.aero