Hamilton Sundstrand A400M Propeller System Fully Functional On C-130 Test Bed
Farnborough Air Show, Farnborough, England - Hamilton Sundstrand's FH386 propeller system, specifically designed for the Military Transport A400M, is installed on Marshall Aerospace's C-130 flying test bed. Hamilton Sundstrand is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.
The C-130 is being used as a test bed by Marshall Aerospace under contract to Airbus Military, to flight-test the A400M's engines and propeller system before they are flown on the A400M prototype aircraft. The C-130 flying test bed is currently being ground-tested prior to flight testing later this summer.
Ratier-Figeac, France, an affiliate of Hamilton Sundstrand, is supplying the A400M propellers. The FH386 propeller system is a 17.5 foot-diameter propeller with eight all-composite blades providing more than twice the thrust of C-130 propellers. The FH386 propellers will be mounted to four turboprop engines, each producing more than 10,000 horsepower, which will allow the A400M to cruise at up to Mach 0.72.
"The A400M is a state-of-the-art military aircraft," said Gerard Malabre, Hamilton Sundstrand-Ratier Figeac A400M propeller program manager. "Hamilton Sundstrand-Ratier Figeac is pleased to provide Airbus Military this ground-breaking propulsion system."
In addition to the FH386 propeller system, Hamilton Sundstrand's suite of A400M equipment also includes the Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer Actuator; Auxiliary Power Unit; emergency power system; Secondary Electric Power Distribution Center chassis assembly; and heat sensing and throttle control equipment.
The A400M program is expected to generate approximately $2.1B in revenue for Hamilton Sundstrand over the life of the program.
The A400M large military transport aircraft is specifically designed to meet the needs of European NATO nations, and requirements of air forces around the world. The aircraft is scheduled for first delivery to the French Air Force in 2010.
With 2007 revenues of $5.6B, Hamilton Sundstrand employs approximately 19,000 people worldwide and 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.
SOURCE: United Technologies Corp.