Curtiss-Wright providing aircraft arresting systems, support to Belgian Air Force

Curtiss-Wright Corporation has been awarded a $26 million multi-year contract by the Belgian Air Force to implement a modernization program for its aircraft arresting systems.

Under the agreement, Curtiss-Wright will provide new cable systems and related turnkey services to three airbases to support the upcoming delivery of the F-35 to Belgium, as well as safeguard its emergency takeoff and landing phases. The contract also provides various services, spares, repair, and overhaul supporting the Belgian Air Force’s military flight operations.

“As a leading global supplier of military aircraft arresting systems and support capabilities, Curtiss-Wright is proud to have the opportunity to build upon our existing relationship with the Belgian Air Force to provide new systems, aftermarket, and logistical services to support the availability and longevity of its arresting capability,” says Lynn M. Bamford, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Curtiss-Wright Corporation. “In addition, this contract further demonstrates the growing demand for our technologies in support of our defense allies and partners in NATO.”

Curtiss-Wright will successively equip the main and parallel runways of the Florennes, Kleine-Brogel, and Bevauchain Air Bases to drive complete standardization of all air base configurations. In addition, Curtiss-Wright’s ESCO SmartArrest system, a unique, computerized version of the ESCO BAK-12 energy absorber, will help to automatically ensure the successive arrestment of multiple fighter jet platforms.

Curtiss-Wright is performing the work within its EMS division in the Naval & Power segment. Manufacturing of the energy absorbers and the BAK-12 mobile systems (PortArrest) will take place at its Arresting Systems facility in Aston, Pa, while retractable hook cable systems will be manufactured at its Merpins, France facility. Additionally, a 10-year maintenance contract for services, spares, repair, and overhaul will be performed at the Merpins facility which has historically supported NATO European customers.