Meggitt PLC, a leading international company specialising in aerospace equipment, sensing and defence systems, today announces that Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems has won a £150 million contract for its new longer life "NuCarb®" carbon brakes from Bombardier, the leading manufacturer of a large range of regional and business aircraft.

Meggitt's NuCarb carbon brakes will be installed on Bombardier's new 100 seat commercial aircraft, the CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft which was launched in 2007 and is scheduled to enter service in Bombardier's fiscal year 2010.

The contract is estimated to be worth more than £150 million over the lifetime of the aircraft from repairs and replacements. This win maintains Meggitt's leading position in wheels and brakes for regional aircraft with 70 seats or more.

The CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft has the lowest carbon dioxide emissions of its class generating a 35% improvement on old generation 100-seaters and is designed to have a 7 to 15% operating cost advantage over competing jets. While Meggitt's advanced carbon technology lasts longer than conventional friction materials, the reduced weight of Meggitt's NuCarb® also contributes to the aircraft's improved economics.

The CRJ1000 NextGen jet uses Meggitt's brake control technology common to, and proven, on its CRJ700 NextGen and CRJ900 NextGen forebears. The electronic control unit, whose performance has been already proven on nearly 500 aircraft, has been upgraded to accommodate the multiple software variations used across the CRJ700/900/1000 NextGen family, reducing maintenance and logistics costs across the fleet.