Development of the fly-by-wire systems for the Bombardier CSeries by Parker Aerospace is just the beginning of a 10-year, $3.5 billion deal covering four Bombardier aircraft platforms.
The CSeries is the first Bombardier aircraft to feature fly-by-wire systems, and is Parker's first agreement with the Canadian airframer to develop that technology for current and future models.
Neither Bombardier nor Parker could clarify specifics regarding the three remaining platforms covered under the exclusive contract. Parker says the three other platforms covered in the contract are "not likely to be the CSeries", while Bombardier says the deal begins "with the CSeries family of aircraft and future Bombardier aircraft not yet developed".
Parker is likely to build on substantial resources Bombardier has already dedicated to creating the fly-by-wire systems for the CSeries. Test pilots at the airframer have been capturing data from tests of fly-by-wire software conducted in a simulator.
Bombardier now plans to use the results of those tests in combination with Parker's research to build the fly-by-wire systems for the 110/130-seat aircraft family as the airframer says the companies are combining results from their respective research programmes for system development.
Bombardier launched the CSeries just before the Farnborough air show after securing a letter of interest from Lufthansa covering 30 firm orders and 30 options.
Source: Flight International
