Boeing announces first 7E7 Systems Partners

Boeing has selected Hamilton Sundstrand and Rockwell Collins as partners for selected portions of the systems for the all-new Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner passenger jet.

Boeing has entered into the final stages of negotiations to define work statements and pricing with these companies. Additional 7E7 systems partners are expected to be announced in the weeks ahead.

"Selecting systems partners is an important milestone in our program plan," said Mike Bair, senior vice president of the 7E7 program. "We have been engaged in defining systems capabilities at a very high level in cooperation with a large group of candidate partners. Now we can begin to move into detailed development."

Hamilton Sundstrand, based in Windsor Locks, Conn., has been selected to provide four major systems: the 7E7's auxiliary power unit, environmental control system, remote power distribution units and the electrical power generating and start system.

"We are extremely pleased to have won significant content on the 7E7," said Ron McKenna, Hamilton Sundstrand president. "We faced tough competition, but I believe our innovative technical solutions and sensitivity to Boeing objectives and lifecycle value made the difference."

Rockwell Collins, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is the winning bidder for the displays and communications/surveillance systems packages for the program.

"We have a long history of successful aircraft programs with Boeing," said Rockwell Collins Chairman, President and CEO Clay Jones. "We recognize the importance of providing solutions that offer unprecedented value to Boeing and our mutual airline customers."

Both companies will have employees at the Boeing Everett facility, where the 7E7 is being developed and will eventually be built.

"The strength of our team continues to grow with the selection of these companies as program partners," said Bair. "They are proven performers on previous Boeing programs and in other industry endeavors."

The Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner is a family of mid-sized airplanes that is expected to enter into service in 2008.