Fairchild Completion

Smiths Industries PLC
3 November 2000



SMITHS INDUSTRIES COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF FAIRCHILD DEFENSE

Smiths Industries has completed the acquisition of the Fairchild Defense
division of Orbital Sciences Corporation, following receipt of US regulatory
approval.  Details were as set out in the preliminary announcement on 27
September 2000.

Fairchild Defense is one of the leading US manufacturers of data recording and
analysis systems used extensively in military aircraft.  Based in Germantown,
Maryland, it will operate within the Information Management Systems division
of Smiths Industries Aerospace.