Hamilton Sundstrand's Ratier-Figeac Advances Design for Propeller for A400M
FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom- Europe, Jul 18, 2004
Ratier-Figeac in Figeac, France, has gone through the Preliminary Design Review exercise for the FH386 propeller system for the A400M Military Transport Aircraft being developed by Airbus Military.
Airbus Military forecasts potential sales of more than 300 of the aircraft. For the 180 aircraft already on order, the potential value of the propeller contract over the life of the program is $830 million to Hamilton Sundstrand, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX).
Ratier-Figeac is an affiliate of Hamilton Sundstrand.
Hamilton Sundstrand also plans to submit proposals for other systems on the A400M, including the Air Management System, Auxiliary Power Unit, Ram Air Turbine, Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer Actuator (THSA) and cockpit equipment.
Airbus Military, a subsidiary of European Aeronautic Defence & Space (EADS), is leading development of the large, four-engine, military transport aircraft for seven European countries. The company has orders for 180 aircraft: 60 for Germany, 50 for France, 27 for Spain, 25 for the United Kingdom, 10 for Turkey, seven for Belgium and one for Luxembourg.
“The FH386 system represents the latest in propeller technology,” said Alain Guinaudeau, president of Ratier-Figeac. The high power rating of the propellers will allow the A400M to cruise at Mach 0.72. The propellers with eight composite blades will be 5.3 meters (17.5 feet) in diameter.
“The close teamwork between Ratier-Figeac and Hamilton Sundstrand’s Propulsion Enterprise in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, on five propeller programs over the past 12 years has demonstrated the capability to develop and produce large propeller systems,” he said.
The next milestone will occur in September when the Critical Design Review gets underway. Delivery of the first propeller system to the engine test cell is scheduled for October 2005. First flight of the A400M is scheduled for late 2007, and entry into service for 2009.
Ratier-Figeac employs about 1,000 people and develops a variety of systems for the aerospace industry, including propellers, actuation systems and cockpit equipment.
Hamilton Sundstrand employs about 16,000 worldwide. It is among the world’s largest suppliers of technologically advanced aerospace and industrial products.
Contact:
Peg Hashem (U.K. )
Chalet D16-18
1-252-380-590
Melissa Marsden (U.S. )
1-815-226-5423
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