Rockwell Collins Selects For ARJ21

ACSS, an L-3 Communications & Thales Company, announced last week that it has received technical standard order authorization from the FAA for TAWS+ for use in passenger jets and military aircraft. The class A terrain awareness and warning system works to help pilots avoid Controlled Flight Into Terrain, (CFIT).

Rockwell Collins has selected the system for use on the new ARJ21, a regional jet that is being manufactured by AVIC I Commercial Aircraft Company in China. TAWS+ will be integrated into the Rockwall Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite for use in the 78 to 105 seat aircraft.

"Working with Rockwell Collins on the ARJ21 program is an exciting venture for ACSS," said ACSS President Kris Ganase in a release to ANN. "Integrating our TAWS product into the Pro Line 21 demonstrates the flexibility of our system and allows our customer to offer AVIC the safety benefits of the most advanced TAWS product available. We're thrilled to be a supplier to the ARJ21 as commercial aviation begins to grow into the emerging China market."

TAWS+ can be applied to any business, regional, air transport or military aircraft to give operators more time to clear terrain and traffic with an increased margin to maneuver and reduce nuisance alerts. The system incorporates a Ground Collision Avoidance Module (GCAM) to provide unique predictive warnings and cockpit displays.

A Terrain Advisory Line (TAL) is a patented feature that indicates where the terrain is should the aircraft continue on its flight path. The length and duration of the alert line shows the terrain segment within 30 degrees either side of the aircraft flight path, out to four minutes in front of the aircraft. When the GCAM detects that the aircraft does not have sufficient climb capability to clear the terrain by pulling up, it tells the pilots to "Avoid Terrain" by turning to a safer direction.

Total orders for ACSS TAWS products exceed 2,000 units. Numerous customers include American Eagle, Federal Express, Northwest Airlines, the US Air Force, and many others.

FMI: www.acssonboard.com