AlliedSignal Aerospace's New AS900 Turbofan Engine Passes First Operating Run; First Run of AS900 Engine Conducted Ahead of Schedule.

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 12, 1999--

AS907 and AS977 to Power Bombardier

Continental and Avro RJX Aircraft

AlliedSignal Inc. (NYSE:ALD) Thursday announced that it has completed a successful first engine run of the company's new AS900 turbofan engine.

The AS900 started on the first attempt, and accelerated flawlessly to governed speed. A series of test starts and accelerations was then completed. Approximately one hour and forty-five minutes of operating time was accumulated on the engine, including dwell times at various speeds, throttle-ups and variable inlet guide vane settings. No anomalies were observed during the test.

The unit will undergo several additional tests before it is removed from the test facility for partial teardown, inspection and reinstrumentation. The test program will proceed toward certification in the first quarter of 2001 in accordance with AlliedSignal Aerospace's test plan.

"The first run was flawless and met all our expectations," said Steve Loranger, president, AlliedSignal Aerospace Engines & Systems. "The AS900 family will play a significant role in AlliedSignal Aerospace's future strategy for business and regional aviation engines, and reaching this milestone ahead of schedule is a reflection of our commitment to our customers."

The first two models in AlliedSignal Aerospace's turbofan engine family -- the AS907 and the AS977 -- have been selected to power the new Bombardier Continental business jet and the British Aerospace Avro RJX regional airliner, respectively.

"The first engine test is a demonstration of our commitment to our customers to deliver an engine that will meet and exceed their expectations," said Dominique Hedon, vice president, Commercial Propulsion, AlliedSignal Aerospace Engines & Systems. "AlliedSignal Aerospace will build and test 12 development engines for the AS900 program, and will validate its performance and reliability over more than 7,000 hours of testing before certification."

The first engine test came 12 months after the company launched the AS900 engine family. AlliedSignal Aerospace tested all the major engine components in rigs before building the complete test unit. The initial test engine was built in 14 days, with no engine components requiring rework to complete the process.

"The assembled test engine came together like a production engine, and this successful first test validates AlliedSignal Aerospace's commitment to excellence by design," said Jim Kidwell, AS900 director of Engineering, AlliedSignal Aerospace Engines & Systems. "We are running an engine core rig to validate aerodynamic and shaft dynamic predictions before taking the complete engine to full power later this month."

The AS900 is a 7,000-pound, thrust class engine with a 34.2-inch fan and a bypass ratio of 4.2. The engine is designed with large temperature margins to meet the reliability, durability and growth expectations of business aviation and regional airlines.

The AS900 is configured with four axial compressor stages, including two variable-geometry stators, a single centrifugal compressor, an effusion-cooled combustor, a two-stage high-pressure turbine and a three-stage low-pressure turbine driving a high-efficiency fan.

All discs in the AS900 are designed for a 15,000-cycle life, and the engine will be offered with an on-condition maintenance program from introduction into service or, for those choosing fixed maintenance periods, mature hot section and compressor zone inspection intervals set at 3,500 hours and 7,000 hours, respectively.

Under the AS900 development program, more than 50,000 mission cycles accumulated in more than 10,000 hours are planned prior to entry into service. Three test engines will perform accelerated mission testing, a rigorous program simulating the effect of real-life operations on engine, accessories and thrust reverser wear and tear, to substantiate the AS900 durability objectives.

The axial compressor features integrally bladed rotors for lower parts count and improved life properties. The effusion-cooled combustor provides uniform temperature profiles and reduces the output of undesirable emissions. The engine has only two lubrication sumps located in cooler engine zones for improved reliability and durability.

The engine control system features a dual-channel electronic control with extensive built-in diagnostic and trouble-shooting capabilities.

The AS900 is being designed as an integrated powerplant system (IPPS) including nacelle, thrust reverser and all engine mounted accessories for aircraft manufacturers wishing to purchase a complete system from AlliedSignal Aerospace. The development program will thoroughly test the complete IPPS assembly to ensure optimum functionality and performance.

AlliedSignal Aerospace, a U.S. $7.5 billion unit of AlliedSignal Inc., is the largest supplier of aircraft engines, equipment, systems and services for commercial transport, regional, general aviation and military aircraft. AlliedSignal Inc. is a U.S. $15 billion advanced technology and manufacturing company serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services, automotive products, chemicals, fibers, plastics and advanced materials.

It is one of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also a component of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. The company employs 70,400 people in some 40 countries. Additional information on the company is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.alliedsignal.com.

This release contains forward-looking statements as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements about future business operations, financial performance and market conditions. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties inherent in business forecasts.