Hamilton Sundstrand Completes First Delivery of Electronic Propeller Control System Equipped Aircraft to U.S. Navy Reserve

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn., Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation recently completed first delivery of its Electronic Propeller Control System (EPCS) upgraded aircraft to the U.S. Navy Reserve. The delivery marked the first of a total order of 30 EPCS modernized aircraft, which will complete permanent modification of the entire fleet of C-130T and LC-130H aircraft. Hamilton Sundstrand is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX).

Hamilton Sundstrand was recently awarded the final delivery orders for these fleets, including 15 kits for the U.S. Navy Reserve's C-130T aircraft and five kits for the U.S. Air National Guard's LC-130H aircraft. The combined value of this award is worth $16.5 million in sales for Hamilton Sundstrand and will include engineering, technical and logistics services over the next two years. This award is in addition to the initial order for 10 EPCS modernized aircraft, which was received in February, 2011.

EPCS kits replace 54H60 propeller mechanical controls with a system based on digital computer software, offering improved reliability, and more precise performance. EPCS represents a 50 year leap in prop control technology for C-130 operators with the 54H60 propellers.  Hamilton Sundstrand is applying its commercial electronic propeller control technology previously adapted for use by the Department of Defense under a Commercial Operations and Support Savings Initiative agreement.

The kits have been flying for the Air National Guard for four years and completed a successful operational evaluation with excellent reliability and performance.

"Hamilton Sundstrand is pleased that the U.S. Navy Reserve and U.S. Air National Guard are completing the permanent modification of their C-130 aircraft with our EPCS modernization, which began last year," said Joseph Neffinger, general manager of Hamilton Sundstrand's North America propeller business. "In addition, the EPCS kits are part of our propeller modernization program, which can be applied to NP2000 propellers in the future. The NP2000 propeller system brings many additional benefits to C-130 users including shorter take-off roll, improved climb, fuel savings with improved cruise performance, quieter operations, and lower operating and support costs."

With 2011 sales of $6.2 billion, Hamilton Sundstrand is headquartered in Windsor Locks, Conn. Among the world's largest suppliers of technologically advanced aerospace and industrial products, the company designs, manufactures and services aerospace systems and provides integrated system solutions for commercial, regional, corporate and military aircraft. It also is a major supplier for international space programs.

United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company that provides high-technology products and services to the aerospace and building industries.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning potential production and sale of Hamilton Sundstrand aerospace products and services. Important uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated include issues that may arise regarding the severity and duration of global recessionary conditions, including extended contraction in credit conditions; the impact of volatility and weakness in financial markets on overall levels of economic activity; declines in end market demand in the aerospace industry; financial difficulties, including challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corporation's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

SOURCE Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation