Bombardier and Commercial Aircraft of China (COMAC) have signed an agreement to collaborate on establishing commonalities between Bombardier’s CSeries and COMAC’s larger C919 jets.
The two companies will cooperate on four projects which include the cockpit human-machine (crew) interfaces, electrical system, enhancing the aluminium-lithium standards and specifications, and areas of customer services including technical publications and team locations.
Both companies are planning to complete the four initiatives over the next 12 months under the first phase, in conjunction with the C919 aircraft development schedule.
COMAC chairman, Jin Zhuanglong, said: "I am delighted that, leveraging on our corporations’ mutual strengths, synergies are being developed into mutually beneficial, tangible initiatives."
"This will certainly contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of not only the C919 and CSeries aircraft programs, but also of COMAC and Bombardier’s overall businesses," Zhuanglong added.
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By GlobalDataThe collaboration follows the signing of a framework agreement last year to explore cost-saving synergies and cross-marketing opportunities for their aircraft.
As part of commonality initiative, COMAC will design its cockpit after the Bombardier CSeries aircraft to ensure that the same cockpit can be used by operators for pilot training for both the aircraft.
As per the term of the agreement, both companies will continue exploring other possibilities for cooperation considering aircraft programme commonalities, joint procurement, synergies in development and customer services.
The agreement is further expected to allow customers of CSeries and C919 aircraft to realise cost benefits from the operation of both aircraft families.
Bombardier president and chief executive officer, Pierre Beaudoin, said: "We are confident these four initial projects will build on the complementary nature of our respective products and expertise while helping to maximise both parties cost savings and market shares."
Bombardier has invested about $3bn in developing the 100 to 149-seat CSeries regional aircraft, which will enter into service by 2013 and has received 138 firm orders for the aircraft.
Powered by Pratt & Whitney Pure Power PW1500G engine, the CSeries aircraft will produce less carbon emissions and is suitable for short field performance.
COMAC’s 168-190 seated C919 aircraft will enter into service by 2016 and has 175 firm orders.
Its basic version can cover a range of about 4,075km, while the enhanced version can cover about 5,555km and their economic life is designed to be 90,000 flying hours / 30 calendar years.
Image: The agreement will allow the two companies to share commonalities between the CSeries and C919 aircraft. Photo: Bombardier
