One of the world's largest aerospace systems providers, UTC Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp., today delivered its 100th podded propulsion system – a nacelle system integrated with an engine – to the Airbus final assembly line in Mobile, Alabama. UTC Aerospace Systems' Aerostructures business provides the complete nacelle systems for the Airbus A320ceo (current engine option).

Aerostructures' Foley, Alabama, plant began work on the podding propulsion system for the Airbus A320ceo as well as the Embraer KC-390 military transport in late 2015. The milestone nacelle was podded with a CFM56 engine for an Airbus A321 for Delta Air Lines.

"We've been delivering our high-value nacelle systems for the A320ceo since the mid-1980s. Being located near the Mobile final assembly line enables us to deliver quality nacelle systems to Airbus when they need them," said Aerostructures President Marc Duvall. "We look forward to providing that same value and just-in-time deliveries from Foley for the A320neo propulsion systems in the future."

Aerostructures was selected by Airbus in 2011 to provide the full nacelle systems for the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM that will power the A320neo (new engine option) for the life of the program. Podding for those engines is currently taking place at other Aerostructures facilities collocated near Airbus final assembly lines in Toulouse, France, Hamburg, Germany and Tianjin, China. Globally, the Aerostructures business has invested more than $500 million to build or expand six company sites in support of the A320neo nacelle industrial ramp-up for the life of the airplane program. The company's nacelles provide airlines and lessors a compelling value proposition through commonality and high in-service reliability. The innovative nacelle system for the A320neo is performing with 99.99% percent dispatch reliability.

Earlier this year, the Foley site inaugurated a new 80,000-square foot nacelle assembly and integration facility adjacent to its existing operations. The new building is used to assemble nacelles and do podding for propulsion systems going to the Airbus final assembly line in Mobile. The Foley plant was recognized as one of six Best Plants in North America by IndustryWeek in early 2017, and at the 2017 Paris Air Show, the Aerostructures business received the Airbus Supplier Support Rating for exceptional aftermarket support of airplanes.