NORTH PLAINS, OR--(Marketwire - May 10, 2010) - WheelTug Limited announced today that it has signed an agreement with Ward Leonard Electric Company, Inc. to develop and build the motors and associated mechanical components for its on-ground electric drive system for aircraft. For more than 100 years, Ward Leonard has been a leader in electric power innovation, and now designs and builds high-performance, high-reliability motors and control systems for demanding applications such as military, naval, oil exploration, and nuclear power.
The WheelTug® electric drive system is based on twin electric motors installed in the nose gear wheels of an aircraft, providing full mobility while on the ground, without the use of the aircraft's jet engines or external tugs for both pushback and taxi operations. WheelTug enables aircraft to be electrically driven from the terminal gate to the takeoff runway, and upon landing from runway exit to the gate. The resulting improvements in efficiency, flexibility, fuel savings, and reduced engine foreign object damage (FOD) yield projected savings of more than $500,000 per aircraft per year, plus reductions in CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions.
Ward Leonard, based in Thomaston, Connecticut, will develop, build, and assemble the Chorus® motor, bearings, gearing, and other components housed within the hub of each nose gear wheel. The design that Ward Leonard will be implementing was announced last week: http://www.wheeltug.gi/WheelTug_pr_Progress_20100503.shtml.
The risk-sharing agreement, the financial terms of which were not disclosed, gives Ward Leonard exclusive rights to build these components for the Boeing 737NG, the initial WheelTug model. Ward Leonard also has an option to acquire WheelTug shares.
Jon R. Carter, Chairman and CEO of Ward Leonard, said, "We are extremely pleased to be working with the WheelTug team to bring their innovative system to market. Ward Leonard's long experience with high reliability motors for use in severe applications will be a strong complement to WheelTug's development team in developing and achieving FAA certification for the drive system. I have great confidence that we will be successful together."
Isaiah W. Cox, President and CEO of WheelTug, said, "Ward Leonard represents the perfect partner for the WheelTug motor module; they bring decades of relevant experience, along with state-of-the-art skills and tools for developing and delivering the most technologically advanced and rugged motors. We are delighted with this partnership."
WheelTug is in talks with both airframe manufacturers and airlines regarding development of WheelTug models for additional commercial aircraft types, as well as for military aircraft. The company's other risk-sharing partners currently include Co-Operative Industries for the wire harness, Luxell Technology for the cockpit interface, and ICE Corporation for the system controller.
Ward Leonard was founded in 1896 by H. Ward Leonard, an electrical engineer and inventor who in the 1890s managed Thomas Edison's operations in setting up electric railways and power-generation stations. The company today designs and builds high-performance electric motors, control systems and components including relays, contactors, controllers, communications controllers, and specialized electronic switches and instruments for a variety of customers and markets. Its website is at http://www.wardleonard.com.
WheelTug Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of WheelTug plc, which is in turn a majority-owned subsidiary of Chorus Motors plc (
Contact Information:
For more information:
Isaiah W. Cox
President
WheelTug plc
410-419-0082
Exec@wheeltug.com
http://www.wheeltug.com
Jon R. Carter
Chairman and CEO
Ward Leonard Electric Company
860-283-5801 ext 126
jcarter@wardleonard.com
http://www.wardleonard.com