Bombardier Announces Three Key European Suppliers for CSeries Aircraft Program

March 25, 2009
Alenia Aeronautica, Fokker Elmo, and Goodrich Actuation Systems to provide key components and systems.

Bombardier Aerospace has added three key European suppliers to the CSeries aircraft program. Alenia Aeronautica of Italy, Fokker Elmo of the Netherlands, and Goodrich Actuation Systems of the United Kingdom, will provide key components and systems, and will be instrumental in contributing to the development and success of the all new, game-changing CSeries aircraft.

Alenia Aeronautica will provide the horizontal and vertical stabilizers, fully equipped with hydraulic, electrical and flight control systems, lights, and antennas.

Fokker Elmo will be responsible for the design and production of the entire wiring and interconnection system. Additionally Fokker Elmo will design and produce all flight test and instrumentation wiring required during the certification of the CSeries aircraft.

Goodrich Actuation Systems will be responsible for the design and production of the flap and slat actuation systems for the CSeries aircraft. A critical system for take-off and landing, the flap system is installed on the wing and increases both lift and drag, while the slat system adds lift and helps maintain smoother airflow.

"Adding three major suppliers to the CSeries aircraft team moves Bombardier’s development of the program forward in a significant way," says Benjamin Boehm, Vice-President, Programs, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "CSeries aircraft customers will benefit from the extensive experience of our suppliers in providing top-notch aeronautical systems and components.

"We are currently reviewing quotations and proposals from a wide range of potential suppliers, including other European suppliers. Bombardier’s Belfast operation in the UK is developing and producing the advanced composite wings for the CSeries aircraft, and we are confident that European suppliers will play an important role on the program, as is the case on other Bombardier programs."

On March 11, 2009, Bombardier and European airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG announced the signing of a firm purchase agreement for 30 CSeries model CS100 aircraft with options on an additional 30 CSeries aircraft. The 110-seat and 130-seat CSeries family of aircraft -- including the CS100 and CS300 aircraft models -- brings passenger comfort, performance, and operating economics, benefiting from the latest technological advancements, including: fourth-generation aerodynamics; increased use of composites and advanced aluminium alloys in structures; the latest in system technologies, such as fly-by-wire, electric brakes, and a next-generation engine – the Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1000G engine.

At time of entry into service in 2013, the CSeries family of aircraft will be the greenest single-aisle aircraft in its class. These aircraft will emit 20 percent less CO2 and 50 per cent less NOx, fly four times quieter, and deliver energy savings – 20 per cent fuel-burn advantage as well as 15 percent improved cash operating costs versus current in-production aircraft of similar size. The CSeries aircraft will consume as little as two liters of fuel per passenger per 100 kilometres in its more dense seating layouts.