ABSC CORPORATE INFORMATION

Commercial Transport

ABSC's early involvement in regional jets has established it as a major supplier of wheels, brakes and brake control systems in this, the fastest growth sector of the industry. Airlines are now offering more jet service point-to-point, linking smaller cities rather than connecting through a major airport hub. Independent analysts predict deliveries of 2,505 regional jets between 2001 and 2006.

ABSC continues to be the leader in the regional aircraft sector, with equipment on 40 percent of turbojet and turboprop powered transportation. ABSC is the supplier to Bombardier of Canada for wheels and brakes on its regional jets. Recent ABSC equipped aircraft delivered to customers around the world included 126 of the successful 50-passenger Bombardier CRJ regional jets and 22 of the 70-seat CRJ-700. Bombardier is also developing the 86-seat CRJ-900, to be equipped with an ABSC total braking system.

ABSC is developing the wheels and carbon brakes for Embraer's newest aircraft family, the first of which, the 70-passenger Embraer 170, achieved its first flight in February 2002. Embraer reports 112 firm orders and 212 options for Embraer series aircraft that includes four models and range in size from 70-passenger to 108-passenger. These airplanes will use our NuCarb™ material in their brakes; the "next generation" of carbon that we expect will lead the industry in braking performance.

In 2001, 13 new Airbus A320/A321 aircraft using ABSC components were delivered, bringing ABSC's A320/A321 fleet to a total of 126 aircraft. Wheel and brake equipment is also available on all Boeing MD-80 models, while the Boeing MD-90 has a total braking system from ABSC. ABSC hardware is also found on the complete family of Fokker aircraft from the Fokker 27 through the Fokker 100.

General Aviation

Over 210 new business aircraft equipped with ABSC products were delivered in 2001, 190 of them business jets. Delivered aircraft included models from most major business aircraft manufacturers, including Bombardier Learjet models 31A and 60, Challenger CL604, Dassault Falcon 50EX, Gulfstream G100, G200 and GIV-SP and Raytheon Beech 400A, 1900 and King Air.

Dassault's next-generation Falcon 7X family of long-range business jets will feature ABSC brakes with NuCarb™ heatsink material, which is expected to provide the best performance in the industry.

ABSC product development for the next-generation Gulfstream-IV proceeded on schedule, with hardware and software qualification and validation testing initiated in early 2002. ABSC products for this aircraft will join a large fleet of Gulfstream aircraft currently in service with ABSC products: the GI, GII, GIIB, GIII, GIV, GIV-SP, G100 and G200.

Military

ABSC has a large in-service fleet of approximately 12,000 military aircraft worldwide, requiring regular inventory replenishments, upgrades and modernization activities to improve readiness and support rapid deployment. An increasing share of defense spending is being allocated to the operation and maintenance of existing aircraft systems.

ABSC products go into a broad mix of fighter, cargo, helicopter and special purpose aircraft, with many experiencing increased use during 2001. Orders rose by 85 percent due to increased military activity and spending.

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