China’s C929 widebody lands partner to power next-gen flight mind
After Comac secures core flight-system supplier for its widebody jet’s ‘brain’, sourcing the ‘heart’ of the C929 remains a lofty challenge
The maker of China’s expanding family of civilian aircraft has announced new orders for a regional jet and secured a crucial “brain” for its ambitious C929 widebody jet, coinciding with the Singapore Airshow.
The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) said on Tuesday that it signed a letter of intent for cooperation with Aviage Systems for the C929’s core avionics processing system, according to a Yicai news report.
Avionics refer to an aircraft’s electronic systems, including communications, navigation, flight control and monitoring – considered the brains of an aircraft.
Such advancements aim to help the Shanghai-based Comac compete within and outside Chinese airspace against the established Airbus-Boeing duopoly, as the two manufacturers have long had near-exclusive control over the global market for large commercial aircraft.
On Tuesday, Comac said it had “further deepened” exchanges with clients at the air show, which is held every two years.
“Comac attaches great importance to the Southeast Asian aviation market,” the company statement added, noting that it would “better meet the needs” of customers in the region.
However, while the C929’s brain is officially in the works, what some might consider its heart is still missing. Comac still needs to find a suitable engine for its widebody jet, said Dan Taylor, head of consulting for IBA Group, an aviation intelligence and advisory company.