Timken to Outfit U.S. Army Apache Choppers

CANTON, Ohio: Feb. 22, 2010 —The Timken Company’s (NYSE:TKR) Aerospace and Defense business has received an order to provide an emergency supply of left-hand engine nose gearboxes for aftermarket use on the U.S. Army's fleet of Apache Longbow helicopters. Timken is the only aftermarket manufacturer approved to supply all five gearboxes onboard the Apache.

Timken produces the gearboxes for both original equipment and aftermarket use at its plant in Manchester, Conn. The left- and right-hand nose gearboxes transmit power from the engines to the main transmission, which powers the main rotor and all onboard systems. Timken also provides gearboxes for the Apache's main transmission, intermediate and tail-rotor positions.

In addition to the gearboxes, Timken® bearings are found on several other areas of the Apache, including GE Model T700 Engines, the Honeywell Model 36 Auxiliary Power Unit and in the Arrowhead infrared sensor system, which is used to ensure safe flight for varied climate conditions and support accurate target controls.

"The Apache is a mission-critical system, and on-time delivery of replacement parts is paramount to the military meeting its operations timelines and objectives," said J. Ron Menning, president of Timken's Aerospace and Defense business segment. "The Army needs a supplier to meet a delivery imperative, and has placed trust in Timken. We plan to exceed their expectations."

Timken has been serving the aerospace industry for more than 70 years, providing precision-engineered components and assemblies for original-equipment and aftermarket customers. The company's products span the lifecycle of aircraft, from turbine engine components, gears and transmissions to reconditioning services and an extensive, growing portfolio of FAA-approved replacement parts for a variety of platforms.