Sony Irvine Unit Awarded Boeing Stereo Contract

Boeing Co. said it has given a $100-million, 15-year contract to a Sony Corp. unit here that will develop a passenger stereo system for the Boeing 777 airliner that has compact-disc sound quality.

The contract is the first time Boeing has enlisted Sony to develop an entertainment system that will be a standard part of its aircraft. Sony Trans Com, which has 350 employees in Irvine, normally makes passenger entertainment systems that are customized for each airline.

Rick Roguski, spokesman for Sony Trans Com, said the contract is significant but it is too early to tell what effect it will have on the company’s employment.

The Sony equipment would be comparable to most state-of-the-art home stereo or compact disc players, said Barbara Murphy, spokeswoman for Boeing.