Navy approves Hamilton Sundstrand 8-bladed NP2000 propeller for production
WINDSOR LOCKS, USA- North America, Connecticut, Jun 4, 2003
Hamilton Sundstrand will begin shipping its new eight-bladed NP2000 propeller system to the U.S. Navy this month.
Following a long series of successful flight tests at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, the Navy has approved the initiation of production deliveries for the entire fleet of E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft and C-2A Greyhound transport aircraft.
A $44.5 million Navy contract calls for 188 propellers with an option to purchase 54 more.
Navy Lieutenant Commander John Lemmon, who heads the NP2000 Integrated Product Development Team, said, “We expect the NP2000 to offer significant benefits to the Navy in terms of higher reliability and lower maintenance costs than the propeller it is replacing. The team has performed magnificently during the integration and development testing of this new propeller system.”
Flight tests on the E-2C aircraft are nearly complete, with aircraft carrier suitability tests scheduled to be completed this summer. Flight tests on the C-2A are scheduled for 2004.
The digitally controlled NP2000 propeller system will replace the Hamilton Sundstrand mechanically controlled, steel spar, four-bladed 54460 propeller on the E-2C, which entered service in late 1973, and on the C-2A. Retrofit on the E-2C is expected to begin in January 2004.
Navy test pilots at Patuxent River report a substantial reduction in cockpit vibration and noise levels and say it is a marked improvement from the baseline aircraft. Navy approval of the NP2000 for production supports Hamilton Sundstrand’s efforts to market the propeller for other applications. Mike Zalucki, general manager of the Hamilton Sundstrand propulsion business, said, “This propeller is also ideally suited for the modernization of P-3C and C-130 aircraft.” Hundreds of the four-engine P-3C maritime patrol aircraft and four-engine C-130 transport aircraft are flying worldwide.
The NP2000 propeller, with all-composite blades, is a military derivative of the commercial, six-bladed 568F propeller designed and manufactured by Hamilton Sundstrand and its French subsidiary, Ratier-Figeac. The 568F, in service since 1995, has accumulated more than 600,000 in-flight hours of operation.
Ratier-Figeac manufactures the blades, which are integrated and tested with other components of the propeller system at Hamilton Sundstrand’s facility in Windsor Locks, Conn.
Hamilton Sundstrand, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX), is headquartered in Windsor Locks, Conn., and employs about 16,500 worldwide Among the world’s largest suppliers of technologically advanced aerospace and industrial products, the company designs, manufactures and services aerospace systems and provides integrated systems solutions for commercial, regional, corporate and military aircraft. It is also a major supplier for international space programs.
Contact:
Peg Hashem
860-654-3469
peg.hashem@hs.utc.com
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