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Ratier-Figeac, part of Hamilton Sundstrand, To supply Propeller system for Airbus Military A400M

WINDSOR LOCKS, USA- North America, Connecticut, Jul 30, 2003

Ratier-Figeac in Figeac, France, has been selected to develop and produce the propeller system for the Airbus Military A400M airlifter. The potential value of the contract is $830 million over the life of the program. Ratier-Figeac is a business unit of Hamilton Sundstrand, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX).

Airbus Military forecasts potential sales of more than 300 of the four-engine transport aircraft.

The A400M is a large military transport being developed for seven European countries. Airbus Military, a subsidiary of European Aeronautic Defence & Space (EADS), is leading the development effort and has orders for 180 aircraft: 60 for Germany, 50 for France, 27 for Spain, 25 for Britain, 10 for Turkey, seven for Belgium and one for Luxembourg.

“This is a significant win for our propeller business following several years of work with Airbus Military on this state-of-the-art propeller system,” said Alain Guinaudeau, president of Ratier-Figeac.

According to Michel Ferey, Ratier-Figeac vice president, sales and marketing, “The FH386 propellers on this aircraft will operate at a high power rating and will allow the aircraft to fly up to a cruise speed of Mach 0.72. The propellers will be 17.5 feet in diameter and use eight composite blades each, with individual blade replacement capability.”

Ferey added that the propellers for this program include the latest technological solutions developed by Ratier-Figeac in conjunction with Hamilton Sundstrand. “The close teamwork between Ratier-Figeac and Hamilton Sundstrand over the last 12 years on five propeller programs has demonstrated the capability of this team to develop and produce large propeller systems,” Ferey said.

Besides Ratier-Figeac in France and Hamilton Sundstrand’s Propulsion Enterprise in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, the development and production work will involve Nord-Micro in Germany and Microtecnica of Italy, additional Hamilton Sundstrand European business units.

The A400M is expected to enter service by 2010. It will be powered by four turboprop engines of more than 10,000 horsepower each and is designed to replace aging military transport planes such as the U.S.-made Hercules C-130 and the Franco-German Transall.

Ratier-Figeac employs about 1,000 people and develops a variety of systems for the aerospace industry, including propellers, actuation and cockpit equipment.

Hamilton Sundstrand, headquartered in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, employs about 16,500 worldwide and is among the world’s largest suppliers of technologically advanced aerospace and industrial products.

Contact:
Peg Hashem,
Connecticut
860-654-3469

Michel Ferey,
France
33-565-505-016