Rockwell Collins to provide integrated surveillance system for COMAC C919

(Wuxi, Jiangsu, July 15, 2010) -- Rockwell Collins and China Leihua Electronic Technology Research Institute (LETRI) have signed a letter of intent with Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd. (COMAC) to provide an integrated surveillance system for the new C919 family of single-aisle aircraft. The announcement was made during a signing ceremony that took place to commemorate the agreement in Wuxi, Jiangsu last week.

The highly integrated surveillance system combines weather detection, traffic alert and collision avoidance, Mode S surveillance and terrain awareness and warning functions into a single system. In an announcement earlier this week, Rockwell Collins also signed a letter of agreement to provide the communication and navigation packages.

Rockwell Collins and LETRI also have signed a memorandum of agreement to establish a China-based joint venture, which is expected to sign the formal supply agreement with COMAC by the end of this year. The company has previously worked with LETRI to assemble and test weather radar, radar antenna mounts and traffic alert collision avoidance system (TCAS) equipment for inclusion in Rockwell Collins' surveillance systems sold to airlines throughout the world.

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.

"The new relationship we're creating with LETRI to develop a reliable, state-of the-art surveillance system for the C919 platform demonstrates the importance of the China civil aviation market to Rockwell Collins," said Kent Statler, executive vice president and COO, Commercial Systems for Rockwell Collins.

Source : Rockwell Collins, Inc. (NYSE: COL) - click here for more information