Hamilton Sundstrand today congratulated Boeing on the inaugural flight of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Hamilton Sundstrand systems helped enable the first flight from Paine Field, Everett, Wash. on Dec. 15. The 787 contains nine major Hamilton Sundstrand systems, comprising nearly 600 components and subsystems that incorporate various unique technologies for this first more electric commercial transport. Hamilton Sundstrand is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) .

"I would like to congratulate Boeing on the 787 Dreamliner's successful first flight," said Hamilton Sundstrand President Alain M. Bellemare. "We are extremely proud to play such a major role on the program and look forward to continuing to work closely with Boeing to support the Dreamliner's flight test program and its successful entry into service."

Among the technical firsts for the more electric 787 is the Hamilton Sundstrand Electric Power Generating and Start System (EPGSS), which supplies nearly 1.5 megawatts of power, or enough to power about 400 homes, and more than five times the electric power on a Boeing 767. The EPGSS comprises an industry-unique electric start system. Hamilton Sundstrand's starter generators provided the first electric start of a turbofan engine on a large twin-aisle commercial jet transport on May 21.

The Hamilton Sundstrand APS 5000 auxiliary power unit is Boeing's first more electric APU. In the engine start sequence, the 1,100 shaft horsepower APU provides power to the engine-mounted Hamilton Sundstrand starter generators to start the engines.

Another industry first, Hamilton Sundstrand's more electric 787 environmental control system significantly improves efficiency and fuel burn, and is a source of cabin pressurization, which eliminates the need for bleed air. The system enables lower cabin pressurization for improved passenger comfort.

The Hamilton Sundstrand Nitrogen Generation System improves fuel system safety by blanketing the fuel tanks in nitrogen-rich air. The 787 is the first passenger transport to integrate an NGS into the initial airplane design.

Other significant Hamilton Sundstrand systems include the 787's primary power distribution system and motor controls, secondary power distribution systems, galley cooling system, electric-driven hydraulic pumps and emergency power system. Hamilton Sundstrand's Kidde Aerospace & Defense subsidiary is supplying Boeing with the complete fire protection systems package for the 787. Hamilton Sundstrand also provides the engine gearbox system for the engine.

In addition to our technical advances in hardware and software, Hamilton Sundstrand has supported the 787 program with a substantial systems integration effort for the various Hamilton Sundstrand systems. Hamilton Sundstrand's scope of supply and its systems integration role are unprecedented for an aerospace systems company.

Integral to that role is Hamilton Sundstrand's Airplane Power System Integration Facility (APSIF), located at its facility in Rockford, Ill., which hosts equipment from Hamilton Sundstrand and nearly a dozen other Boeing suppliers to develop, integrate and certify the more electric technology of the 787. The APSIF contains nearly 400 pieces of equipment, including the airplane's common core computing and remote data concentrator network, the flight deck displays and the overhead switch panels.

The 787 program is expected to generate more than $15 billion in revenue for Hamilton Sundstrand over the life of the program.

"This is a rewarding day for the entire Hamilton Sundstrand team," said Tim Morris, Hamilton Sundstrand president, 787 Programs. "The 787 has been an exciting program since its launch in 2004, and it is tremendously gratifying to see the revolutionary role our systems have in enabling many of the 787's step change improvements in performance, operating cost and passenger comfort."

"Hamilton Sundstrand's development and integration of such a broad base of systems is a unique role for an aerospace supplier," said Joe Adams, Hamilton Sundstrand vice-president, and chief engineer, 787 Programs. "We are very proud of the contributions our technical solutions will make to the operation of the 787."