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GE Aviation provides advanced systems on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner first flight

December 15, 2009

Grand Rapids, MI -- GE Aviation Systems is a key supplier on the 787 Dreamliner providing aircraft systems from take-off to touch-down, the common core system and the landing gear system, on today's historic first flight. 

GE supplies the common core system, which serves as the aircraft's central nervous system, and the landing gear system. In addition, the GEnx-1B is the best-selling engine on the 787, with orders from more than 1,100 engines for 40 customers around the world. 

"We are delighted to share this historic milestone with Boeing and provide the latest integrated systems technologies for the 787," said Lorraine Bolsinger, president and CEO, GE Aviation Systems. "We are pleased to be working with Boeing and to be a member of the 787 team." 

GE's common core system (CCS) is the backbone of the Boeing 787's computers, networks and interfacing electronics and provides the primary computing environment for the Dreamliner. The remote data concentrators (RDC) are designed to consolidate inputs from the aircraft's systems and sensors and distribute it via the Rockwell Collins avionics full duplex switched Ethernet network. GE developed the common core system on the Wind River VxWorks 653 partitioned operating environment. The CCS is designed, manufactured and tested at GE's U.S. locations in Washington and Michigan and at its Cheltenham UK facility. 

GE's integrated landing gear system controls the deployment and retraction of the aircraft landing gears, including the nose landing gear steering and the brake control and monitoring systems. In addition to the normal package of mechanical hardware, GE provides the flight deck interfaces and local control electronics. The program is supported by the Company's facilities in Washington State and in the UK. 

GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet engines, components and integrated systems for commercial and military aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings. For more information, visit us at www.ge.com/aviation. 

Video of the first flight as well as pictures are found at www.boeing.com or www.newairplane.com. Visit the 787 Milestones Web site at www.boeing.com/787milestones.