China's jumbo jet maker signed letters of intent with Honeywell and other equipment suppliers in Nanjing yesterday in another step toward the nation's first domestically built 150-seat jet.
The suppliers will produce hydraulic, fuel and air management systems, auxiliary power units and exterior lighting systems for the C919 single-aisle commercial airliner, said jet maker Commercial Aircraft Corp of China Ltd.
Honeywell International Inc will supply auxiliary power units and associated equipment in collaboration with AVIC Harbin Dongan Engine (Group) Corp Ltd, a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corp of China. Bloomberg said the deal is valued at US$7.3 billion for Honeywell.
Zhang Qingwei, chairman of Commercial Aircraft Corp of China Ltd, said: "This is a win-win opportunity for both companies. We believe that Honeywell's leading technologies will make the C919 a more reliable and fuel-efficient aircraft. Honeywell's expertise will help to sharpen our competitiveness in the world market and we look forward to the cooperation."
Parker Aerospace, a business segment of Parker Hannifin Corp, will provide fuel and hydraulic systems. Parker said the system contracts will generate more than US$2.5 billion in revenue.
Parker Aerospace also signed an agreement with AVIC Systems to form a joint venture to develop the C919 program.
Other suppliers include Aviation Industry Corp of China, Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse SAS, Goodrich and Jiangsu Tongming. Parker, Liebherr, Honeywell and Goodrich are all suppliers for the country's regional jet, the ARJ21-700.
China is investing 200 billion yuan (US$29 billion) in the C919 project to cut its reliance on Boeing and Airbus. The aircraft is set to make its first flight in 2014 and be delivered to customers by 2016.
Everything from design to sourcing and production will be done in China.
