COMAC selects Hamilton Sundstrand to provide emergency power system

Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) has selected Hamilton Sundstrand, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), to provide the Ram Air Turbine emergency system for the COMAC C919 narrow-body commercial aircraft.

In addition to the 30 kVA electric Ram Air Turbine, the emergency system includes a generator control unit, auto deploy control unit, actuator, stow panel and generator line contactor. In the unanticipated loss of in-flight power from the engines, the RAT deploys into the airstream and produces power to the cockpit and flight controls, to safely land the aircraft.

COMAC had previously chosen Hamilton Sundstrand's Kidde Aerospace & Defense business to provide the aircraft's integrated fire and overheat protection system. Hamilton Sundstrand's Ratier-Figeac business will supply the aircraft's pilot controls, which includes side sticks, rudder brake pedals, speed brake control level, control panel and the Thrust Control Quadrant.

In November, Hamilton Sundstrand announced a joint venture with China's AVIC Electromechanical Systems Company Limited to design and manufacture the C919's electric power system, including generation and distribution. The joint venture company will be the tier-one supplier of the electric power systems to COMAC.

"With this award, we are pleased to have been chosen to supply the C919's entire main electric power generation, distribution and emergency power system," said Andreas Schell, president, Hamilton Sundstrand Electric Systems. "As a system supplier we are committed to working closely with COMAC to develop and bring this key aircraft to the market."

Hamilton Sundstrand estimates total C919 program revenues could exceed $1.5 billion.

Hamilton Sundstrand entered the Chinese commercial aviation market in 1985 with the development of the MA60 aircraft. Today, Hamilton Sundstrand is a key systems supplier on COMAC's 90-seat ARJ21 regional jet, supplying the electric power generation, primary distribution and Ram Air Turbine emergency power system, the APS2600 Auxiliary Power Unit; fire protection system, and the high-lift actuation system, which includes flap and slat actuators, drive train, power drive units and controllers.