COMAC selects Hamilton Sundstrand to provide emergency power system

Posted by John McHale
WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn., 26 Jan. 2011. Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China, Ltd. (COMAC) selected Hamilton Sundstrand to provide the Ram Air Turbine emergency power 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.
Last year, Hamilton Sundstrand announced a joint venture with China's AVIC Electromechanical Systems Co. Ltd. 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.