Agreement Covers Auxiliary Power And Air Management
Systems
Honeywell announced this week it has
been selected to provide the major mechanical systems for Airbus's
new long-range, wide-body A350XWB aircraft.
The contract is expected to generate more than $16 billion
(including aftermarket) in revenue for Honeywell over the projected
20- to 25-year life of the program. It is the largest systems and
equipment package Airbus has awarded to date on this program.
"We revitalized our customer focus in early 2005, and those
efforts, coupled with Honeywell's unparalleled technologies and
experience with integrated aerospace systems, uniquely positioned
us to meet Airbus's demanding requirements for this next-generation
aircraft," said Robert Gillette, President and Chief Executive
Officer, Honeywell Aerospace. "Honeywell's advanced Air Management
Systems and auxiliary power unit technologies will deliver the
system performance and dependability Airbus and its operators
expect in today's global market."
As part of the agreement, Honeywell will design and build an
auxiliary power unit (APU) and provide the APU Installation Kit and
APU Starter- Generator. These integrated systems supply pneumatic
and electric power for the aircraft while on the ground or in
flight. The HGT1700 APU will incorporate proven technologies from
Honeywell's fleet of Airbus APUs, optimized with industry-leading
technological advancements to reduce weight, maximize performance
and reduce direct maintenance to provide safe, efficient, low-cost
operations.
The company will also provide integrated systems to manage all
of the air used on the aircraft for environmental control,
including cabin heating and cooling, and cabin pressurization for
increased passenger comfort and safety. The Air Management System,
specifically designed for Airbus A350, builds on Honeywell's more
than 50 years of providing integrated aircraft systems. Honeywell
is the leading supplier of environmental and cabin pressure control
systems -- proven in millions of flight hours of commercial
service.
"This first contract signed with a major equipment supplier for
the A350 is the first concrete example of our new way of working
with our suppliers who are now becoming real partners," said Airbus
Executive Vice President Programs and Procurement, Tom
Williams.
"With the A350 we are initiating a different type of
relationship with this community. We attribute larger, complete
work packages to a smaller number of major suppliers who are now
becoming real systems integrators, which should allow them to
define a globally much more efficient system," Williams continued.
"They are fully responsible for the total process from the initial
research and development up to manufacturing/production and
integration of the complete element, which they deliver, once fully
checked and tested to maturity, to the Airbus production line. We
are convinced that, by starting the process very early and fully
involving these suppliers as partners in the process, we shall be
in a much better position to achieve an even higher maturity at
entry into service."
The A350XWB will be available in three basic passenger versions:
the A350-800 accommodating 270 passengers, the A350-900 seating
314, and the A350-1000 for 350 passengers. The twin engined A350XWB
will be powered by new generation Rolls Royce Trent engines
delivering up to 95,000 lbs of thrust.