Hamilton Sundstrand and Pratt & Whitney are to form a combined engine systems unit, as part of Hamilton's plans to develop its 'Aerospace Power Company' integrated solutions concept.
The unit, to be created on 1 January, merges the United Technologies subsidiaries' electronic controls, accessories, gearboxes and externals business groups.
The new organisation will integrate P&W's Electronic and Mechanical Systems Module Center, excluding the nacelle, fan drive gear systems and bearing compartment groups, into Hamilton's Engine Systems business.
Hamilton expects the move to bolster its position in bidding for new integrated solutions propulsion contracts. These include work on the Rolls-Royce Trent 600 and 900 programmes for the Boeing 747X and Airbus A3XX respectively, with Hamilton set to bid for the second of up to five packages that R-R is putting out for tender, all of which are expected to be awarded sometime next year.
Hamilton claims the combined engine systems unit will be competitively ahead of the integrated solutions unit expected to be created by General Electric as a result of its proposed take-over of Honeywell.
Hamilton expects that around 400 P&W employees will be absorbed as a result of the move, of which around 180 will be relocated from East Hartford and Middletown to nearby Windsor Locks, Connecticut by early January. It adds that Engine Systems employees in Rockford, Illinois, will not be relocated.
Source: Flight International
