Austrian aerospace company FACC has won a contract extension with Collins Aerospace to deliver thrust reverser translating sleeves for nacelles on Airbus A350 XWB and Boeing 787 aircraft.

FACC was commissioned by Collins Aerospace in 2005 to develop and manufacture thrust reverser translating sleeves for the Boeing 787 engine programmes.

The manufacturer was also selected to develop thrust reverser translating sleeves for the Airbus A350 XWB family in 2006.

The carbon fibre nacelle module developed by FACC and Collins Aerospace features the visible surface of the thrust reverser, the moveable blocker doors, an acoustically treated inner duct and a mechanical connection that is required to operate the thrust-reverser doors.

Both companies used newly developed materials and processes, which reportedly lead to further noise attenuation, weight reduction and a higher lifespan.

FACC has so far equipped nearly 1,000 Boeing and 400 Airbus aircraft with thrust reverser translating sleeves.

The company said it will continue production of the translating sleeve modules in its automated centre of competence for engine nacelles.

The contract extension covers the production of the thrust reverser translating sleeves for the next ten years.

FACC engines and nacelle vice-president Günter Nelböck said: “This is a key programme for FACC, it further secures our relationship with Collins Aerospace and is, therefore, an important factor for our continued success on the engine platforms for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A350 XWB.

“Our expertise in engineering and global supply chain management, the high qualification of the FACC workforce and our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities are essential to Collins Aerospace and demonstrate our best-in-class capabilities in technology, innovation and efficiency.”

Collins Aerospace was created in 2018 by bringing together UTC Aerospace Systems and Rockwell Collins.

Employing 3,500 people, FACC designs, develops and manufactures aerospace technologies and advanced aircraft lightweight systems.