GE Aviation and Aviation Industry Corp. of China (AVIC) on Friday formed a 50/50 joint venture company, GE-AVIC Civil Avionics Systems Company Ltd., to develop and market integrated avionic systems for new aircraft platforms.
The joint venture company will be headquartered in China and will be the single route-to-market for integrated avionics systems for both GE and AVIC for new commercial aircraft. Also, GE and AVIC will each provide avionics products to the joint venture company as a customer and distributor, the companies said. The initial focus for the joint venture is integrated avionics systems for the C919, manufactured by Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC). COMAC anticipates delivering more than 2300 C919 aircraft over the 20-year life of the program. This market potential provides an estimated value for the AVIC GE avionics systems of about $2 billion, according to GE.
"GE is extremely pleased and excited to be a part of this unique aviation business. The JV will build on the extensive avionics capabilities of both companies and create a technology center of excellence to serve the commercial aviation market," said David Joyce. "GE’s aviation business in China results in 1,800 high-technology jobs in the U.S. The jobs are involved in producing and supporting jet engines for China, as well as developing the new engine and avionics system for the C919."
"The joint venture will work to secure systems and other avionics products on future aircraft adding to the overall economic value and jobs created," said Lorraine Bolsinger, president and CEO of GE Aviation Systems. "The JV and C919 program will support and maintain at least 300 high-tech jobs locally in each the US and China. This venture will challenge our team to come up with break-through technology. GE and AVIC will together develop a world-class engineering organization and the JV itself will be creating new IP and new technology. This is a 50/50 partnership; you have to be all in and be very committed."