Rockwell Collins Inc. posted solid earnings for its fiscal second quarter ended March 31, with strong growth in both its commercial and government systems business segments.

Net income rose 20 percent to $168 million, or $1.03 per share, compared with $140 million, or 82 cents per share, in the year-ago quarter. Sales jumped 10 percent to $1.186 billion. Sales of commercial systems rose 13 percent to $610 million, while sales of government systems increased 6 percent to $576 million.

The company also strengthened its balance sheet with common stock repurchases of 3 million shares at a total cost of $190 million. The company had $326 million of share repurchase authorization remaining as of March 31.

Other business highlights in the quarter include Rockwell Collins’ acquisition of Athena Technologies, which develops flight control and navigation products, the opening of a new engineering center in Hyderabad, India, and contracts with Cessna Aircraft Co., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. for its Mitsubishi Regional Jet and Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.

“Although we expect a weaker U.S. economic environment in 2008, market conditions for our commercial and government systems businesses continue to be solid,” said Rockwell Collins Chairman, President and CEO Clay Jones. “Accordingly, we remain on track toward meeting our full-year revenue projections.”

Listen to the earnings conference call at noon at www.rockwellcollins.com.