Fri, May 09, 2003
Honeywell has been selected by the FAA to provide
development, manufacturing, airport installation, training and
support for the new satellite-based precision approach and landing
system known as the Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS). With
contract options, the program could exceed $350 million over the
life of the program; the initial value of the contract is $16.7
million.
"Honeywell's satellite-based navigation technology will enable
the FAA's LAAS program to utilize airspace more efficiently, plus
provide new precision approach procedures," said John Oelschlaeger,
Director of Honeywell's Satellite Landing Systems Business. "This
will result in improved air travel safety and reduced flight delays
for the flying public, as well as increased operational capacity
for airports."
Vas Ist LAAS?
The
Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS) is an augmentation to GPS
that focuses its service on the airport area (approximately a 20-30
mile radius). It broadcasts its correction message via a very high
frequency (VHF) radio data link from a ground-based transmitter.
LAAS will yield the extremely high accuracy, availability, and
integrity necessary for Category I, II, and III precision
approaches, and will provide the ability for more flexible, curved
approach paths. LAAS demonstrated accuracy is less than 1 meter in
both the horizontal and vertical axis.
Traditional navigation aids provide coverage for single runway
ends only and sometimes have installation and frequency
availability constraints. LAAS ground stations alleviate these
constraints and a single LAAS can provide coverage for all runway
ends at most airports where installed.

Honeywell will finalize the system integrity design before
initiating the build, installation and support of 10 LAAS ground
facilities at nine FAA test centers and major airports across North
America. These include:
-
William J.
Hughes Technical Center, Atlantic City, N.J.
- Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, Oklahoma City (two
systems)
- Memphis International Airport, Memphis, Tenn.
- Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston
- Juneau International Airport, Juneau, Alaska
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Chicago
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Seattle
- Honeywell's engineering facility in Coon Rapids, Minn.
The technology is manufactured by Honeywell's Defense &
Space Electronic Systems, a Minneapolis-based division of the
company's Aerospace group. Work is scheduled to begin on the
project this year. The first system is scheduled to be operation by
late 2006.
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