Hamilton Sundstrand systems contribute to successful 787 flight testing

Hamilton Sundstrand's Boeing 787 Dreamliner systems are contributing to the aircraft's successful flight testing and are ready to support the airplane's entry into service, which Boeing has slated to occur in the fourth quarter. Hamilton Sundstrand is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation.

The 787 took its first flight from Paine Field in Everett, Wash., on Dec. 15, 2009. Since then the flight test program has undergone approximately 1,100 flight test hours.

"Hamilton Sundstrand is extremely proud of its role in the development of the revolutionary Boeing 787 Dreamliner," said Hamilton Sundstrand president Alain Bellemare. "Our systems are playing a key role in validating the aircraft's capabilities as it approaches entry-into-service."

The 787 contains nine major Hamilton Sundstrand systems, comprising nearly 600 components and subsystems that incorporate various unique technologies for this first more-electric commercial transport.

In April, Boeing recognized Hamilton Sundstrand's Electric Systems business as one of its suppliers of the year for the company's exceptional commitment to excellence in working with Boeing. Hamilton Sundstrand was recognized in the Pathfinder category for its commitment to the 787 Dreamliner program. The Pathfinder category recognizes suppliers that show outstanding effort, meet or exceed Boeing expectations, and bring new capability providing Boeing a competitive advantage.

Among the technical firsts for the more electric 787 is the Hamilton Sundstrand Electric Power Generating and Start System (EPGSS), which supplies nearly 1.5 megawatts of power, or enough to power about 400 homes, and more than five times the electric power on a Boeing 767. The EPGSS comprises an industry-unique electric start system. Hamilton Sundstrand's starter generators provided the first electric start of a turbofan engine on a large twin-aisle commercial jet transport.

The Hamilton Sundstrand APS 5000 Auxiliary Power Unit is Boeing's first more-electric APU. In the engine start sequence, the 1,100 shaft horsepower APU provides power to the engine-mounted Hamilton Sundstrand starter generators to start the engines. Earlier this year, Hamilton Sundstrand's Power Systems business successfully completed APS5000 APU ETOPS (Extended-range Operations) testing – an important step in providing ETOPS capabilities for 787s upon initial entry into service.

Another industry first, Hamilton Sundstrand's more electric 787 environmental control system significantly improves efficiency and fuel burn, and is a source of cabin pressurization, which eliminates the need for bleed air. The system enables lower cabin pressurization for improved passenger comfort.

The Hamilton Sundstrand Nitrogen Generation System improves fuel system safety by increasing the nitrogen concentration in the fuel tanks. The 787 is the first passenger transport to integrate an NGS into the initial airplane design.

Other significant Hamilton Sundstrand systems include the 787's primary power distribution system and motor controls, secondary power distribution systems, galley cooling system, electric-driven hydraulic pumps and emergency power system. Hamilton Sundstrand's Kidde Aerospace & Defense subsidiary is supplying Boeing with the complete fire protection systems package for the 787. Hamilton Sundstrand also provides the engine gearbox system for the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine.

In addition to its technical advances in hardware and software, Hamilton Sundstrand has supported the 787 program with a substantial systems integration effort for the various Hamilton Sundstrand systems. Hamilton Sundstrand's scope of supply and its systems integration role are unprecedented for an aerospace systems company.

Integral to that role is Hamilton Sundstrand's Airplane Power System Integration Facility (APSIF), located at its facility in Rockford, Ill., which hosts equipment from Hamilton Sundstrand and nearly a dozen other Boeing suppliers to develop, integrate and certify the more electric technology of the 787. The APSIF contains nearly 400 pieces of equipment, including the airplane's common core computing and remote data concentrator network, the flight deck displays and the overhead switch panels.

The 787 program is expected to generate more than $15 billion in revenue for Hamilton Sundstrand over the life of the program.

With 2009 revenues of $5.6 billion, Hamilton Sundstrand is headquartered in Windsor Locks, Conn. Among the world's largest suppliers of technologically advanced aerospace and industrial products, the company designs, manufactures and services aerospace systems and provides integrated system solutions for commercial, regional, corporate and military aircraft. It also is a major supplier for international space programs.

United Technologies Corporation, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries worldwide.