07 Oct 2003
JOHNSON CITY, New York, and COLOMBES, France -- FADEC 3, the first full-authority digital engine control developed and built by FADEC International, has been certified on the GE90-115B engine. FADEC International is a limited-liability company formed in January 2003 by BAE Systems and HISPANO-SUZA to focus the two companies’ capabilities in design, production, and support of controls for commercial aircraft engines rated at 18,000 pounds of thrust and above.
The FADEC 3 control underwent a series of component-level and engine-level tests during engine certification. FADEC 3 represents a significant advance over previous engine controls, delivering 10 times the processing power of its predecessor and greater flexibility at lower cost. It uses a flexible design approach that offers higher reliability, easier maintenance, and rapid and simple reconfiguration of the unit for new applications.
“This is a dramatically new approach to engine control design,” said Dennis Slattery, president of FADEC International. “FADEC 3 provides an order-of-magnitude increase in processing power over the existing technology and will set a new standard in performance and customer satisfaction.” The control features a versatile design and high throughput for easy growth to accommodate new functions and future engine and aircraft applications.
GE has selected FADEC 3 for use on the GE90-115B, the world’s most powerful jet engine -generating 115,000 pounds of thrust - that will power Boeing’s new longer-range 777-300ER and -200LR aircraft. The new control is designed to meet the requirements of several other new engine applications and as a replacement for the first- and second-generation FADECs currently used on other GE and CFMI engines.
After nearly two decades of joint development, manufacturing, and support activity, BAE Systems and HISPANO-SUIZA, a Snecma company, formed FADEC International to give customers a single point of access. FADEC International today serves more than 350 airlines and dozens of other organizations. The two companies have produced FADECs for CFM56, CF6-80, and GE90 engines, logging more than 140 million flight hours on engines that power some 3,000 commercial aircraft.
About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years and is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems.
BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company employs more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately 12 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.
About HISPANO-SUIZA:
HISPANO-SUIZA is a leading company for the design, manufacture, and support of engine control systems, electronic control equipment, accessory drives for engines, and power transmission system for aircraft and helicopters. It provides comprehensive support solutions and also supplies and integrates hydromechanical units, electrical harnesses, and sensors. HISPANO-SUIZA has its headquarters in Colombes and facilities in Colombes, Rau, and Bezons, France, and Peterborough, Canada.
HISPANO-SUIZA is a wholly owned Snecma company. Snecma is a world-leading manufacturer of propulsion systems and equipment, including engines produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company of Snecma Moteurs and General Electric. Snecma has annual sales of € 6.5 billion in commercial and military engines for aircraft and helicopters, engines systems and equipment, nacelles and thrust reversers, auxiliary power units, aircraft landing systems, and airframe wiring, connectors, and electrical motors.
