A TSO certification is a minimum performance standard for specified materials, parts, and appliances used on civil aircraft set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Collins Aerospace, one of the world’s largest suppliers of aerospace and defense products and AVIC Leihua Electronic Technology Research Institute (LETRI) have announced that the partnership has secured the TSO certification for COMAC’s C919 Weather Radar Flat Plate Antenna (WFA) from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The antenna has been designed by LETRI. A TSO certification is a minimum performance standard for specified materials, parts, and appliances used on civil aircraft set by the FAA.
“We have been working with LETRI since 2016 to become a qualified supplier for COMAC’s C919 and this is a significant milestone for our partnership as the WFA is the first FAA TSO certified avionics component to be developed and manufactured by a company in China, with more on the way”, said Grace Du, managing director, Avionics. “This is testament of our long-term commitment to our local customers and partners,” she further added.
AVIC Leihua Electronic Technology Research Institute (LETRI) is a subsidiary of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). AVIC formed a joint venture company – AVIC Leihua Rockwell Collins Avionics Company (ALRAC) – with Collins Aerospace in 2013. ALRAC has its primary focus on bringing the latest surveillance products to the COMAC C919 aircraft.
Mr. Yufeng Cheng, President AVIC LETRI said “With the lead and support from COMAC, Collins and LETRI jointly develop C919 Integrated Surveillance System (ISS) based on C919 aircraft requirement. Meanwhile, in order to better promote C919 project progress with COMAC, Collins and LETRI have founded Joint Venture ALRAC. This WFA is fully independently designed, produced and manufactured by LETRI, and finally achieves FAA TSO-C63f airworthiness certification with the support from Collins. Also, LETRI develops RTM, RF Switch for C919 ISS system. The success of WFA TSO certification shows the effectiveness of our close cooperation over the years, as well as the feasibility of the cooperation model. We are believing that this successful experience will play a positive role and bring a good demonstration effect, which also will lay a good foundation for our further long-term win-win cooperation.”
The Comac C919 is a narrow-body airliner developed by Chinese aircraft manufacturer Comac. The development program was launched in 2008. Production of the prototype began in December 2011, with the first prototype being ready on 2 November 2015 and its maiden flight on 5 May 2017. The aircraft, primarily constructed with aluminum alloys, is to be powered by either CFM International LEAP or ACAE CJ-1000A turbofan engines and be able to carry 156 to 168 passengers in a normal operating configuration up to 5,555 km (3000 nmi).
“We are glad to see C919 equipped with indigenous WFA, and it marks a great progress in the cooperation between Collins Aerospace and LETRI”, said Guo Jiawen, Deputy GM of Procurement and Supplier Management Dept., COMAC, “The success of the C919 program relies on the successful cooperative partnership of our suppliers. COMAC is confident in the success of C919 with the support and commitment of our suppliers, he further added.
Collins Aerospace is a provider of technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has its primary goal in gaining extensive capabilities, a comprehensive portfolio and broad expertise to solve customers’ challenges and meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.
