Aircraft

Singapore Technologies Aerospace is in discussions with FedEx Express to install a new automatic fire suppression system (FSS) on the freight carrier's McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighters and new Boeing 777Fs.

"ST Engineering wishes to clarify that ST Aerospace is in discussion with FedEx and that there is no contract signed," says ST Engineering, the parent of ST Aerospace.

"If and when a contract should result, an announcement will be made by the company."

The company was responding to an article in a Singapore newspaper that reported ST Aerospace had clenched a FSS deal with FedEx for 74 aircraft.

FedEx Express announced on 6 October plans to install a new automatic fire suppression system on all 59 McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighters and new Boeing 777Fs. A FedEx special projects group developed the proprietary system to solve the problem of suppressing most types of cargo fires on the main deck for up to 3hr on ocean-crossing flights, a spokesman says.

The system is certified to suppress flames caused by paper, lumber, gasoline, kerosene or combustible metals. Fires caused by electrical equipment, however, must still be extinguished by halon bottles. FedEx will carry electrical cargo in isolation in lower-deck compartments.