Rockwell Collins in China joint venture to supply new COMAC jet

Rockwell Collins participated in signing ceremonies last week in Beijing for a new joint venture with a major Chinese state-owned aviation company.

The joint venture between Rockwell Collins and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) will supply surveillance gear for the new Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd (COMAC) C919 jet.

The new joint venture, AVIC Leihua Rockwell Collins Avionics Company, is one of four joint ventures in place for the C919. Rockwell Collins has been working with AVIC for nearly three decades, according to Kent Statler, executive vice president of Commercial Systems for Rockwell Collins. He said the joint venture demonstrates a deepening and broadening of a trusted collaborative relationship.

The joint venture will supply the integrated surveillance system for COMAC's new single-aisle jetliner. Rockwell Collins is providing communication, navigation, cabin management and in-flight entertainment systems for the aircraft as well.

China Leihua Electronic Technology Research Institute, located in Wuxi, Jiangsu Prvoince, researches and produces civil aviation electronic equipment. It is a research division of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China.

Zhou Han, secretary of party committee for LETRI, said the two companies have a long-term partnership. He described the agreement as a "win-win agreement" for both parties, as each provides experience and technology to jointly develop integrated surveillance products for the C919.