 |
| Model of China’s MA700 for which Sagem will provide flight controls. Photo: Sagem |
[Avionics Today 06-16-2015] Xi’an Aircraft (AVIC group) and Sagem (Safran) signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) providing for the joint development and supply of the cockpit flight controls on China’s planned MA700 regional jet. Developed and produced by Sagem, the new cockpit system will include all primary components, namely the control column/yoke and pedals. Sagem will also team up with AVIC subsidiary LANFEI for the project.
The MA700 is a new twin-turboprop regional aircraft from China, with 70 to 80 seats. It has been under development by Xian Aircraft Industry, a subsidiary of state-owned AVIC, since 2008. The first MA700 should be rolled out in 2017 for the start of flight tests, with revenue service scheduled to start in 2019. The MA700 will be the first turboprop aircraft in the world to use fly-by-wire flight controls.
“The agreement between Xi’an Aircraft and Sagem on the MA700 falls within the scope of the strategic partnership signed by AVIC and Sagem in 2011,” said Martin Sion, CEO of Sagem. “In particular, it will enable us to tackle a number of upcoming opportunities for collaboration, including the future Chinese wide-body jet project.”