(Reuters) Diversified U.S. manufacturer Eaton Corp (ETN.N) has formed a joint venture in China to develop airplane fuel and hydraulic systems, one of several U.S. aerospace companies tapped to supply components for what is expected to be China's first large commercial aircraft.
The venture will be majority owned by Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Co, Ltd, a subsidiary of the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), with Eaton owning 49 percent.
The Shanghai-based partners will supply the COMAC C919 single-aisle aircraft, Eaton said. Based on expected production of 2,500 jets, the program is expected to be worth $1.8 billion, Eaton said on Monday.
The choice of Eaton for one aspect of the C919 program is part of a wider selection of U.S.-based aviation suppliers.
General Electric Co (GE.N) said on Monday that a joint venture between the largest U.S. conglomerate and China's AVIC Systems was selected to provide computer systems for controlling the aircraft, displaying information to pilots and tracking its maintenance needs.
"China is the world's fastest-growing aviation market and we need to ensure GE and the United States are part of this growth," said John Rice, a GE vice chairman who oversees the division of the Fairfield, Connecticut-based company that produces aircraft engines and components.
Honeywell International Inc (HON.N) said it was named to supply brakes and tires for the forthcoming airliner, which is expected to go into service in 2016 with the ability to carry 150 people. Rockwell Collins Inc (COL.N) will provide navigation and communication systems.
Unlike Eaton, those companies did not provide a value for their contracts.
