Rockwell Collins has set up a joint venture (JV) with China Electronics Technology Avionics (CETCA) for the development and production of communication and navigation systems for the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China’s (COMAC) C919 aircraft programme.

Rockwell Collins Asia Pacific vice president and managing director TC Chan said that the collaboration with CETCA was expected to deliver positive outcomes, including relationships in the region, along with aircraft systems and create a strong presence for the company in the Chinese aviation industry.

"The joint venture with AVIC is expected to boost development of China’s commercial aviation sector."

Rockwell Collins, the avionics and information technology services provider, has been working with the Chinese aviation industry and its suppliers for the past three decades.

The company’s instruments are installed in several aircraft including the ARJ21, MA60/600, Y8, Y12, K8, and H425, manufactured in China, and on almost every Western aeroplane operated by Chinese airlines.

In April 2012, Rockwell Collins and China Leihua Electronic Technology Research Institute (LETRI), a subsidiary of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), established AVIC Leihua Rockwell Collins Avionics to develop surveillance products for the COMAC’s C919 aircraft.

With the introduction of avionics technology and international avionics technical services into China, the joint venture with AVIC is expected to boost development of China’s commercial aviation sector.

In addition to the integrated surveillance, communication and navigation systems, Rockwell Collins is also manufacturing cabin management and in-flight entertainment systems for the single-aisle C919 aircraft family.

Recently, Rockwell Collins developed the C919 engineering simulator in collaboration with Xian Aviation Science and Technology, another subsidiary of AVIC.

Comac C919’s maiden flight is scheduled for 2014 and deliveries are expected to begin in 2016.

Rockwell Collins operates a network of support facilities in 27 countries worldwide.