Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation (NYSE:ETN), Shanghai Aviation Electric Co., Ltd. (SAE) and Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) have signed a letter of intent for Eaton to supply the cockpit panel assemblies and dimming control system for the COMAC C919 aircraft program. Total value of the program is estimated to exceed $425 million, based on an anticipated volume of 2,500 aircraft.

The letter of intent covers critical aspects of the design, development, manufacture and support of integrated cockpit panels and dimming controls for the C919 single-aisle commercial airliner.

Separately, Eaton and SAE have signed a strategic cooperation agreement for the design, development and manufacture of the cockpit panel assemblies and dimming control system for the COMAC C919. This agreement also puts in place a framework for future collaboration between the two companies.

"The award of the C919 cockpit panel assemblies and dimming control system business will strengthen Eaton's presence in China's emerging aerospace market while expanding our capabilities to serve customers worldwide," said Brad Morton, president of Eaton's Aerospace Group.

The strategic collaboration agreement with SAE demonstrates Eaton Corporation's focus on seeking further collaborative efforts in China, where the company employs a workforce of 10,000 and has 27 operations.

"These new agreements with SAE and COMAC highlight Eaton's commitment to growing its presence in China and helping to extend China's commercial aerospace industry into new markets worldwide," said Joe-Tao Zhou, president of Eaton in China.

SAE is a leading aviation equipment manufacturer of aircraft cockpit panels, electrical power distribution systems, lighting systems, warning systems and related products in China.