Rockwell Collins is to form a joint venture in China to develop surveillance products for the Comac C919 narrowbody. The joint venture is with Leihua Electronic Technology Research Institute (LETRI), a subsidiary of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).
The new entity will be known as AVIC Leihua Rockwell Collins Avionics Company and will be the US firm’s first joint venture with AVIC. Kent Statler, executive vice president and chief operating officer, commercial systems for Rockwell Collins, said the deal, “demonstrates a deepening and broadening of our trusted and collaborative relationship, which spans nearly three decades.”
Once the agreement conditions have been satisfied and approval by the Peoples Republic of China examination and approval authorities is obtained, AVIC Leihua Rockwell Collins Avionics Company will develop, manufacture and deliver integrated surveillance system products for the C919 program in China.
“In support of AVIC’s overall strategy, AVIC Avionics Systems has made rapid progress in developing its commercial avionics business and increasing its role in the global commercial aviation industrial chain,” said Lu Guangshan, chairman and president of AVIC Avionics Systems Company. “AVIC Leihua Rockwell Collins Avionics Company is one of four joint ventures in place for the C919. We’re confident that these partnerships can integrate the strengths of both sides to contribute to the program’s success.” Honeywell Aerospace has three joint ventures on the C919.
“This represents a significant milestone for our involvement with the C919 program, and is indicative of our continuing commitment to help grow the Chinese aviation industry,” said TC Chan, vice president and managing director, Asia Pacific for Rockwell Collins.
In addition to providing the integrated surveillance system for the C919, Rockwell Collins is also providing communication, navigation, cabin management and inflight entertainment systems for the family of single-aisle aircraft. Additionally, Rockwell Collins and Xian Aviation Science and Technology Company (XASC), an AVIC subsidiary, recently delivered the C919 Engineering Simulator.
Rockwell Collins has been working with the Chinese aviation industry and its suppliers for more than a quarter of a century. The company’s equipment is installed in many airplanes manufactured in China including the ARJ21, MA60/600, Y8, Y12, K8, and H425, and is on nearly every western airliner operated by China’s airlines.
