GOL Airlines selects Rockwell Collins to provide data link system and multi-mode receiver for its Boeing 737 fleet

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (February 08, 2010) - Brazil’s GOL Airlines has selected Rockwell Collins to provide CMU-900 Communications Management Unit (CMU) for its fleet of Boeing 737NG airplanes. In addition, the airplanes will also be equipped with the company’s advanced GLU-925 Multi-Mode Receiver (MMR). Deliveries will begin in early 2010.

“GOL’s standards of safety, comfort and affordability for their passengers, as well as the need to equip their fleet for an evolving future airspace were, key factors in selecting Rockwell Collins for data link and MMR capabilities,” said Jeff Standerski, vice president and general manager of Air Transport Systems for Rockwell Collins. “These are smart investments that will provide operators the advanced functionality and proven technology that will help GOL’s fleet perform at its best now and for years to come.”

The CMU-900 enables state-of-the-art digital communications between aircraft systems, pilots, airlines IT infrastructure, and various operations control functions. This enhances an airline’s ability to more effectively communicate and manage airline operations.

The CMU-900 also will be certified in January 2011 for the European Link 2000+ Protected Mode ATN CPDLC mandate which begins in January 2011. The CMU-900 was the first communications management unit to participate in the European Link 2000+ Controller to Pilot Data link Communications (CPDLC) trials, which validated the use of advanced digital communications for Air Traffic Control communications. 

The advanced GLU-925 Multi-Mode Receiver is the first MMR certified for precision landing using either Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) or Instrument Landing Systems (ILS). The GLU-925 is the primary navigation sensor for all phases of flight, including the stringent Required Navigation Performance (RNP) requirement of 0.1 n.m.

Source: Rockwell Collins

Air China signs agreement with Rockwell Collins to provide long-term avionics support

SINGAPORE (February 01, 2010) - Air China has signed a ten-year maintenance agreement with Collins Aviation Maintenance Services Shanghai Limited (CAMSS), a Rockwell Collins joint venture, to provide service and support for Rockwell Collins equipment on the entire Air China fleet.

“This contract award is a result of our long-standing relationship with Air China and the quality service we have provided them over the years.” said Ken Estelle, vice president and general manager, Technical Service Solutions for Rockwell Collins.

Estelle also stated that the contract exemplifies the company’s strategic focus on China and its commitment to serve the region by providing total life cycle support.

He Li, senior vice president of Air China, added, “Air China has progressively built long term strategic partnerships with major suppliers worldwide to ensure we’re operating at high level. Rockwell Collins has been providing excellent services for Air China over the years. They are a trusted supplier and partner.”

A corresponding avionics shop cooperation agreement was signed with maintenance provider Ameco, to jointly support the entire Air China’s installed base of Rockwell Collins avionics equipment under a price per flight hour program for ten years. The two agreements commenced on Jan. 1, 2010.

Additionally, Rockwell Collins plans to establish a global asset management capability in China in mid-2010 that will further support this agreement, as well as other asset-based programs like the Rental/Exchange and Dispatch^TM programs targeted for the Boeing 787, ARJ21 and other aircraft types operated by Chinese carriers.

Rockwell Collins’ global network of more than 80 locations provides life cycle service and support for commercial, business, corporate and military operations. Logistics capabilities include asset management, engineering services, on-board services, repair and overhaul, service parts, technical information, and training and simulation systems and services. These solutions are tailored to meet customer operational requirements and reduce total cost of ownership.

Source: Rockwell Collins

Rockwell Collins secures first avionics win with Cebu Pacific Air

SINGAPORE (February 01, 2010) - Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) has chosen Rockwell Collins to provide a full suite of communication, navigation and surveillance systems as baseline equipment for the airline’s 15 new Airbus A320 aircraft and its five options. This award marks Rockwell Collins’ debut on the Philippine-based CEB fleet.

A signing ceremony to commemorate the agreement will take place at the Singapore Airshow on Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. in the Rockwell Collins Stand U77, USA Pavilion.

“As an airline that takes great pride in providing world-class service at the right price, Cebu Pacific Air understands the critical importance of equipping their aircraft with the most advanced and reliable avionics systems available,” said Thud Chee (TC) Chan, vice president and managing director, Asia-Pacific for Rockwell Collins. “We look forward to working closely with Cebu Pacific Air to demonstrate the innovation and support provided by Rockwell Collins’ avionics, which will help the airline deliver reliability and value to its customers.”

The Rockwell Collins MultiScan^TM Hazard Detection System is among the avionics CEB selected. The MultiScan system is the first and only radar that analyzes and determines actual weather hazards, not simply atmospheric moisture content, to provide flight crews more accurate weather returns. The MultiScan system is derived from extensive operational experience to create a fully automatic, hands-free airborne radar system that reduces pilot workload and enhances safety and passenger comfort by minimizing unexpected turbulence encounters, and provides optimal clutter-free weather displays.

“This is in line with CEB’s continuing commitment to provide the safest and most convenient flights to our passengers. We recognize the quality of Rockwell Collins’ avionics technology, and look forward to a fruitful partnership with them,” said CEB President and CEO Lance Gokongwei.

CEB also selected the following sensors from Rockwell Collins: ADF-900 Automatic Direction Finder, DME-900 Distance Measuring Equipment, HFS-900D High Frequency Data Radio, GLU-925 Multi-Mode Receiver, VHF-2100 High Speed Multi-Mode Data Radio, and VOR-900 VHF Omnidirectional Range Receiver.

Source: Rockwell Collins

Hainan Airlines selects Rockwell Collins MultiScan and sensors for A330s

SINGAPORE (February 01, 2010) - Hainan Airlines has selected Rockwell Collins to provide its MultiScan™ Hazard Detection system and sensors for 13 of its Airbus A330 aircraft. The announcement was made at the 2010 Singapore Airshow. Deliveries will take place beginning in 2010.

“Rockwell Collins’ award-winning MultiScan Hazard Detection system supports Hainan’s efforts to maintain the highest standards of flight operations,” said Thud Chee (TC) Chan, vice president and managing director, Asia-Pacific for Rockwell Collins. “MultiScan’s ability to automatically detect and analyze weather hazards during all phases of flight will allow Hainan pilots to fly the most efficient routes to get passengers to their destinations on time.”

The MultiScan system is the first and only radar that analyzes and determines actual weather hazards, not simply atmospheric moisture content, to provide flight crews more accurate weather returns. The MultiScan system is derived from extensive operational experience and provides a fully automatic, hands-free airborne radar system that reduces pilot workload and enhances safety and passenger comfort by minimizing unexpected turbulence encounters, and provides optimal clutter-free weather displays.

In addition to MultiScan, Hainan Airlines also selected the following sensors from Rockwell Collins: ADF-900 Automatic Direction Finder, DME-900 Distance Measuring Equipment, HFS-900D High Speed Data Radio, CPL-920D Coupling Unit, VOR-900 Marker Beacon Receiver, and VHF-2100 Very High Frequency Transceiver.

Source: Rockwell Collins

Rockwell Collins reports first quarter fiscal year 2010 earnings per share of $0.76

• First quarter 2010 sales of $1.027 billion decreased 3% and earnings per share of $0.76 decreased 20% from the same period in 2009
• First quarter 2010 operating cash flow of $84 million increased $63 million compared to the same period in 2009

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (January 28, 2010) - Rockwell Collins, Inc. (NYSE: COL) today reported net income of $121 million for its fiscal year 2010 first quarter ended December 31, 2009, a decrease of $30 million, or 20%, from fiscal year 2009 first quarter net income of $151 million. Earnings per share was $0.76, a decrease of $0.19, or 20%, from earnings per share of $0.95 for the same period in 2009.

First quarter 2010 sales decreased $31 million, or 3%, to $1.027 billion compared to sales of $1.058 billion for the same period a year ago. Incremental sales from the acquisitions of DataPath, Inc. and SEOS Group Ltd. contributed $69 million of revenue growth. The organic revenue decline of $100 million resulted primarily from continued weakness in business jet OEM revenues, lower commercial aerospace aftermarket revenues and a decline in sales of Defense Advance GPS Receivers within Government Systems. Total segment operating margins were 19.7% for the first quarter of 2010 compared to 22.4% for the first quarter of 2009.

Cash provided by operating activities for the first three months of 2010 totaled $84 million compared to the $21 million reported for the same period last year. The increase resulted from working capital improvements as well as lower employee incentive compensation payments, partially offset by higher pension plan contributions and lower net income.

“After effects of the global recession and delays in passing the fiscal year 2010 Defense Appropriations bill impacted our first quarter revenues largely as we expected,” said Rockwell Collins Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Clay Jones. “Although revenues declined on a year-over-year basis we realized an increase in operating cash flow through working capital performance and minimized the impact to operating margins through effective cost containment.”

Mr. Jones went on to state, “Improvements in commercial aerospace conditions and general developments in the formulation of defense budgets world-wide reinforce my confidence that we should see sequential growth in sales and profitability throughout the year which will allow us to achieve our full year forecast.”

Following is a discussion of fiscal year 2010 first quarter sales and earnings for each business segment.

Government Systems

Government Systems, which provides communication and electronic systems, products and services for airborne and surface applications to the U.S. Department of Defense, other government agencies, civil agencies, defense contractors and foreign ministries of defense, achieved first quarter sales of $616 million, an increase of $42 million, or 7%, compared to the $574 million reported for the same period last year. Incremental sales from the acquisitions of DataPath Inc. and SEOS Group Ltd. contributed a total of $65 million, or 11 percentage points of revenue growth.

Airborne solutions sales increased $7 million, or 2%, to $410 million. Incremental sales from the acquisition of SEOS Group Ltd. contributed $5 million to Airborne solutions revenue growth. Organic sales were relatively flat as lower revenues related to the F-22 program were offset by higher tanker and transport program revenues. Surface solutions sales increased $35 million, or 20%, to $206 million. Incremental sales from the acquisition of DataPath, Inc. contributed $60 million to Surface solutions revenue growth. Organic sales declined $25 million primarily due to lower sales for the Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) program.

Government Systems first quarter operating earnings decreased 4% to $134 million, resulting in an operating margin of 21.8%, compared to operating earnings of $140 million, or an operating margin of 24.4%, for the same period last year. The decrease in operating earnings was primarily due to increased pension expense and higher company funded research and development costs, which were partially offset by the increased sales volume. Operating margins were also impacted by lower margin revenues from the DataPath and SEOS acquisitions.

Commercial Systems

Commercial Systems, which provides aviation electronics systems, products and services to air transport, business and regional aircraft manufacturers and airlines worldwide, achieved first quarter sales of $411 million, a decrease of $73 million, or 15%, compared to sales of $484 million reported for the same period last year.

Sales related to aircraft OEMs decreased $43 million, or 18%, to $201 million, as a result of reduced production rates at business jet OEMs, partially offset by an increase in air transport OEM sales related to the adverse impact of the Boeing strike in the prior year. Aftermarket sales decreased $27 million, or 12%, to $192 million due primarily to lower aftermarket hardware sales and lower service and support revenue. Wide-body in-flight entertainment products and systems sales decreased $3 million, or 14%, to $18 million.

Commercial Systems first quarter operating earnings decreased 30% to $68 million, resulting in an operating margin of 16.5%, compared to operating earnings of $97 million, or an operating margin of 20.0%, for the same period a year ago. The decrease in operating earnings and margin was due primarily to lower sales volume and higher pension expense, partially offset by lower research and development costs, a reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses and a favorable contract settlement.

Corporate and Financial Highlights

General corporate expenses that are not allocated to the company’s business segments increased $5 million to $11 million during the first quarter of 2010 due to higher pension expense. The company’s effective income tax rate of 33.1% for the first quarter of 2010 was higher than the rate of 32.0% for the prior year period primarily due to the unfavorable impact of the expiration of the Federal Research and Development Tax Credit (Federal R&D Tax Credit) on December 31, 2009.

During the first quarter of 2010 the company repurchased 0.5 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $28 million, leaving $181 million available for authorized share repurchases. The company also paid dividends totaling $38 million, or 24 cents per share, on its common stock.

Fiscal Year 2010 Outlook

The following table is a complete summary of the company’s fiscal year 2010 financial guidance, which is unchanged from the financial guidance initially provided on September 17, 2009:
 

Total sales	$4.6 Bil. to $4.8 Bil.
Total segment operating margins	18.5% to 19.5%
Earnings per share(1)	$3.35 to $3.55
Cash flow from operations	$600 Mil. to $700 Mil.
Research & development costs	$870 Mil. to $900 Mil.
Capital expenditures	about $135 Mil.

 
(1) Based on an estimated effective income tax rate in the range of 30% to 31%.  The projected effective tax rate assumes the Federal R&D Tax Credit is available for the entire fiscal year, although legislation extending the Federal R&D Tax Credit beyond December 31, 2009 has yet to be enacted.  If the Federal R&D Tax Credit is not extended before the end of the September 30, 2010 fiscal year, the impact to the effective tax rate guidance would be an increase of approximately 2 percentage points.

Business Highlights

Rockwell Collins acquired Air Routing International
Rockwell Collins acquired AR Group, Inc., and its affiliated companies including Air Routing International, a premier provider of trip support services for business aircraft flight operations. Air Routing has been providing flight departments with trip planning services for more than 30 years. Recently, the company extended its offering to give customers comprehensive online access to its flight support tools. This offering provides customers with a single-source, global solution for weather services, flight planning services, fuel arrangements, international trip handling and concierge services.
 
Rockwell Collins avionics and pilot controls selected for Russia’s newest family of aircraft
Rockwell Collins was selected to provide avionics and pilot controls for the new MC-21 family of single-aisle aircraft being developed by Russian-based Irkut Corporation, part of United Aircraft Corporation. The first of three aircraft variants is due to enter service in 2016.

Rockwell Collins avionics and pilot control systems made first flight on Boeing 787
Rockwell Collins next generation avionics and pilot control systems contributed to the successful first flight of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner airplane on December 15, 2009. Rockwell Collins serves as the systems supplier for the Boeing 787 flight deck display system, crew alerting system, pilot controls, communication and surveillance systems, and core network cabinet. Rockwell Collins also provides the common data network for the airplane’s Common Core System.

Rockwell Collins Head-Up Guidance System certified for Bombardier’s Challenger 605
Rockwell Collins received Federal Aviation Administration certification of its HGS-6605 Head-Up Guidance System (HGS) on the Bombardier Challenger 605. The Rockwell Collins HGS-6605 features advanced active-matrix liquid crystal display technology that presents critical flight information in the pilot’s forward field of view. Aircraft flight path and attitude symbols overlay the outside scene and provide the benefits of enhanced situational awareness, improved energy management and increased touchdown precision.

Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion™ avionics system successfully completed first flight on G250
Rockwell Collins announced that its Pro Line Fusion™ avionics system successfully completed its first test flight on the Gulfstream G250 super mid-size business jet. As the company’s next-generation avionics system for business aircraft, Pro Line Fusion™ is a core element of the Gulfstream PlaneView 250 cockpit.

Rockwell Collins selected to provide avionics solutions for flydubai
Rockwell Collins was selected by flydubai, Dubai’s first low cost airline, to provide avionics and a data link communication system for its fleet of 54 next-generation Boeing 737 aircraft. The solution includes Rockwell Collins Head-Up Guidance System, MultiScan Hazard Detection System and sensors, as well as the Rockwell Collins Hermes 2100 Ground Data Link system.

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise selected Rockwell Collins avionics for installation on A320s
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise – an aerospace corporation with operations from aircraft leasing, maintenance, repair and overhaul, and aviation IT solutions – selected Rockwell Collins communication, navigation and surveillance systems. The systems will be offered as “baseline” equipment for installation on 70 of the company’s new Airbus A320 aircraft.

Rockwell Collins received $450 million contract for ARC-210 radios
The U.S. Navy awarded a four-year production contract to Rockwell Collins for ARC-210 radios. The contract has a potential value of $450 million over the four-year life of the program. Included in the contract is the next generation ARC-210 radio, which will enter production in 2010. This fifth generation of the ARC-210 is software reprogrammable and brings several new capabilities to the warfighter, including extended frequency range for interoperability with civil agencies.
 
Rockwell Collins B737 full flight simulator achieved Level D certification
Rockwell Collins achieved Level D, Zero Flight Time certification from the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority for the company’s new Boeing 737 NG full flight simulator. The simulator is installed at CTC Aviation Group’s Crew Training Center near Southampton, U.K.

Rockwell Collins named top supplier by Hawker Beechcraft Corporation
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) recently announced the recipients of its 2009 supplier awards. Rockwell Collins was selected from hundreds of HBC suppliers as the HBC Supplier of the Year, HBC’s top honor. This is the second time in three years Rockwell Collins has won the award.

Rockwell Collins awarded contract to provide satellite communications terminals
Rockwell Collins was selected to provide Extended Data Rate International Partners Variant Single Channel Anti-jam Manportable (SCAMP) terminals to the Canadian Department of National Defense. The Foreign Military Sale contract will be executed through the U.S. Army’s Communications-Electronics Command Group. The SCAMP terminals will be used with the U.S. Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellites. The AEHF system is a joint service satellite communications system that provides near-worldwide, secure, survivable and jam-resistant communications for high-priority military ground, sea and air assets.

Rockwell Collins selected to provide Radar Electronic Support Measures for German frigates
Rockwell Collins was selected to provide a Radar Electronic Support Measures (CS-3600) suite for Germany’s F125 Special Forces and Stabilization frigates. The CS-3600 system automatically collects and analyzes radar signals, allowing the ship’s crew to know when an aircraft, missile or other ship could be approaching.

Rockwell Collins selected for KC-135 Block 45 upgrade program
The U.S. Air Force selected Rockwell Collins for the Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD) phase of the KC-135 Block 45 cockpit upgrade program. During the EMD phase, the company will modernize two prototype KC-135 refueling tanker flight decks, establishing the production baseline for 415 additional KC-135 aircraft expected to receive the Block 45 upgrade. The modernization will provide the aircraft flight decks with the latest generation autopilot, flight director, radar altimeter and electronic engine instrument display. The contract also calls for replacing the aging analog engine instruments with a large format color instrument display.

Rockwell Collins introduced new MicroDAGR GPS receiver for soldiers
Rockwell Collins introduced its new MicroDAGR hand-held GPS receiver for soldiers. The MicroDAGR provides dismounted soldiers with real-time position, navigation, moving maps and timing information on a full-color touch screen display, and is small enough to be worn on the wrist, attached to a lanyard, or placed in a pocket. First deliveries will go to the U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force.

Rockwell Collins delivered Ground Soldier System prototypes
Rockwell Collins delivered 10 prototype systems for the U.S. Army Ground Soldier System Increment 1 program. Rockwell Collins, together with its teammate Elbit Systems of America, created a full soldier system prototype that improves upon combat-proven displays and navigation systems originally developed for the Land Warrior program, and incorporates video processing, mass storage, computing and information assurance capabilities.

Rockwell Collins recognized for environmental commitment
Rockwell Collins placed in Newsweek’s 2009 Green Rankings, an evaluation of the 500 largest U.S. companies based on environmental impact, green policies and performance, and reputation among peers and environmental experts. The company was ranked 105th overall and fourth in the transportation and aerospace sector.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

Rockwell Collins Chairman, President and CEO Clay Jones and Senior Vice President and CFO Patrick Allen will conduct an earnings conference call at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on January 28, 2010. Individuals may listen to the call and view management’s supporting slide presentation on the Internet at www.rockwellcollins.com. Listeners are encouraged to go to the Investor Relations portion of the web site at least 15 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary software. The call will be available for replay on the Internet at www.rockwellcollins.com through March 22, 2010.

Source: Rockwell Collins

Rockwell Collins dual MultiScan, HGS and avionics selected for EgyptAir’s 737 fleet

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (January 12, 2010) - EgyptAir has selected Rockwell Collins’ suite of avionics for eight Boeing 737 NG aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled from September 2010 through August 2012.

The agreement includes dual Rockwell Collins Multiscan™ Hazard Detection System configuration and Head-up Guidance System™ (HGS), as well as a comprehensive communications, navigation and surveillance suite including the Rockwell Collins Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) and Multi-Mode Receiver.

“We have a solid relationship with EgyptAir that continues with this latest contract,” said Jeff Standerski, vice president and general manager of Air Transport Systems for Rockwell Collins. “Our advanced avionics will provide EgyptAir with the high levels of situational awareness, increased safety and operational efficiency they require to effectively serve their customers.”

The Rockwell Collins MultiScan™ Hazard Detection System analyzes and determines actual weather hazards, not simply atmospheric moisture content. The MultiScan system is derived from extensive operational experience to create a fully automatic, hands-free airborne radar system that reduces pilot workload, enhances safety and passenger comfort by minimizing unexpected turbulence encounters, and provides optimal clutter-free weather displays.

Features of the HGS-4000 include runway remaining, tailstrike avoidance and unusual attitude recovery. The system has an instrument landing system (ILS) anomaly detect feature, which will filter out ILS disturbances during the final approach phase. HGS presents critical flight information in the pilot’s forward field of view. Aircraft flight path and acceleration symbols overlay the outside scene enhancing situational awareness, improving energy management and increasing touchdown precision.

Sensors selected include: ADF-900 Automatic Direction Finder, DME-900 Distance Measuring Equipment, HFS-900D High Speed Data Radio, CPL-920D Coupling Unit, GLU-925 Multi-Mode Receiver, LRA-900 Low-range Radio Altimeter, PAU-700 Passenger Address Amplifier, TTR-921 TCAS, VOR-900 Marker Beacon Receiver, and VHF-2100 Very High Frequency Transceiver.

Source: Rockwell Collins

Rockwell Collins completes acquisition of Air Routing International

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (January 04, 2010) - Rockwell Collins, Inc. (NYSE: COL) has completed the acquisition of AR Group, Inc., and its affiliated companies, including Air Routing International, a premier provider of trip support services for business aircraft flight operations.

Under the terms of the agreement, Rockwell Collins will acquire all outstanding shares of AR Group, Inc. and its affiliated companies. The acquisition is expected to be neutral to Rockwell Collins’ fiscal year 2010 earnings. During the transition, the company will go to market as Air Routing International, a Rockwell Collins Company.

“One of our growth strategies is to extend beyond products and systems to bring value-added applications and services for flight operations,” said Steve Timm, vice president and general manager, Information Management at Rockwell Collins. “Air Routing’s expertise in flight planning and trip support is a natural fit with this strategy. We look forward to the opportunity to deliver new levels of service to current and future customers.”

Rockwell Collins is a leading provider of flight deck, cabin and information management solutions for business aircraft operators.

Air Routing has been providing flight departments with trip planning services for more than 30 years.  Recently, the company extended its offering to give customers comprehensive online access to its flight support tools. This offering provides customers with a single-source, global solution for weather services, flight planning services, fuel arrangements, international trip handling and concierge services.

Source: Rockwell Collins

Rockwell Collins avionics and pilot controls selected for Russia’s newest family of aircraft

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (December 21, 2009) - Rockwell Collins has been selected to provide avionics and pilot controls for the new MC-21 family of single-aisle aircraft being developed by Russian-based Irkut Corporation, part of United Aircraft Corporation. The first of three aircraft variants is due to enter service in 2016.

“The MC-21 represents an excellent opportunity and important strategic win for us as we aim to further strengthen our relationships with customers in this region,” said Bruno Rambaud, vice president and managing director, Europe, Middle East & Africa at Rockwell Collins.

“This win also marks our involvement with another important next-generation platform that features some of our most advanced avionics,” said Jeff Standerski, vice president and general manager, Air Transport Systems at Rockwell Collins. “Additionally, it reinforces our strong offering for the very competitive, high volume single aisle market.”

Rockwell Collins won these packages together with Russian partner companies Concern Avionica for avionics components and Aviapribor for the aircraft’s pilot controls. Rockwell Collins will provide engineering support and a suite of complimentary avionics and pilot controls, including:

• Communication, navigation, surveillance systems including the Rockwell Collins MultiScan™ Hazard Detection System
• Information Management infrastructure including electronic flight bags and docking stations
• ARINC 664 hardware (avionics ethernet switch) and configuration tools
• Side-sticks controls, rudder/brake pedal system, flap/slat and speed-brake control lever modules, and trim control panel

Aircraft development will begin in early 2010. Aircraft manufacturing will take place at Irkut Corporation’s plant in Irkutsk, Russia. Avionics development will take place in both Russia and the U.S.

Source: Rockwell Collins

Rockwell Collins B737 full flight simulator achieves Level D certification

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (November 10, 2009) - Rockwell Collins announced today that it has achieved JAR-FSTD A Level D, Zero Flight Time certification from the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority for its new Boeing 737 NG full flight simulator.

The device, which is part of Rockwell Collins’ Edge™ family of simulators, utilizes the company’s CORE™ simulation architecture. It has been installed at CTC Aviation Group’s Crew Training Center near Southampton, U.K.

“This certification of our Edge B737 NG simulator marks an important step forward in delivering the new capabilities of our CORE simulation architecture, which we announced earlier this year,” said Ken Schreder, vice president and general manager of Simulation and Training Solutions for Rockwell Collins. “The flexibility and adaptability of this new system, combined with our superior service and support, will deliver an unprecedented training experience for 737 NG flight crews.”

Designed from the user and maintainer’s point of view, Rockwell Collins’ CORE simulation architecture features common open reusable elements including scalable software adaptable for multiple training devices, integrated tool sets and industry leading display and image generation technology. The highly configurable, modular design is a new approach to simulation, providing long term, cost effective solutions to the legacy issues of accommodating upgrades and fleet changes. 

Additional features of the CORE architecture include:

• Rockwell Collins’ display and image generating technology offering industry-leading realism
• A highly configurable tools suite that provides the freedom to easily customise training for multiple situations
• Hardware and software designs that easily accommodate upgrades and new technology additions through open systems architecture
• Scalable, modular design across a broad range of training devices allows proactive obsolescence management and integration of the latest in commercial-off-the-shelf technology.

At the forefront of technology, Rockwell Collins continues to enhance training effectiveness by providing the most advanced training solutions at the lowest cost of ownership. By leveraging its strengths in avionics systems development and training systems design, Rockwell Collins delivers total integrated training solutions span the entire training life cycle, from instructional systems design through fully integrated high fidelity training systems and support.

Source: Rockwell Collins

Aurora’s Excalibur unmanned aircraft makes first flight with Rockwell Collins’ flight controls

WASHINGTON (August 12, 2009) - The Rockwell Collins Athena 511 flight control and navigation system recently played a key role in the successful first hover flight of Aurora Flight Sciences’ Excalibur Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS).  

The Excalibur vertical take off and landing (VTOL) UAS was developed under a contract with the U.S. Army’s Aviation Technology Directorate and flight tested at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland on June 24. Excalibur is a revolutionary hybrid electric-powered UAS designed to carry small precision munitions to support forward deployed units requiring strike capability. 

During the flight test, the aircraft utilized Rockwell Collins’ Athena 511 small form factor flight control and navigation system to autonomously take off, execute heading control test points and land. Additional flight tests with increasingly longer durations and more complex flight profiles are planned later this calendar year.

 

“We are pleased with the performance of the system and the dedication of the Rockwell Collins team during this program and in preparation of the Excalibur’s first flight,” said Dr. John Langford, Aurora’s CEO.

“Aurora continues to develop some of the most cutting edge UAS technology in the industry as demonstrated with Excalibur,” said Dr. David Vos, senior director of Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Control Technologies for Rockwell Collins. “We’ve had a very successful relationship with Aurora for the past decade, which should lead to further collaboration and advancement in UAS flight control systems in the years to come.”

The Athena 511 is a member of the Rockwell Collins Athena product line of highly sophisticated, compact and affordable flight control, INS, GPS, air data, attitude, heading, reference system with well over 300,000 operational flight hours.

Source: Rockwell Collins

Rockwell Collins flight tests WAAS/LPV solution for the Hawker 800XP

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (July 13, 2009) - Rockwell Collins has successfully completed flight testing of a Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) Localizer Performance with Vertical guidance (LPV) solution for Hawker 800XP aircraft equipped with Pro Line 21. The Supplemental Type Certificate is available now to 800XP operators.

“We continue to make enhancements to our Pro Line 21 system, including upgrades to address future airspace requirements and increase airport accessibility,” said Greg Irmen, vice president and general manager of Business and Regional Systems for Rockwell Collins. “In addition to providing more approach options, WAAS/LPV helps Hawker 800XP aircraft crews reduce costs by lowering decision height minima.”

Certification will allow operators of Hawker 800XP aircraft with Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics to take advantage of the more than 1500 LPV approaches available today with minimum decision heights as low as 200 feet. Upgrades will be available through Rockwell Collins’ network of certified dealers and Hawker Beechcraft Services.

Rockwell Collins has an Approved Model List STC (AML STC) available today to upgrade the entire Pro Line 4 and Pro Line 21 fleet with WAAS GPS capability. Operators that upgrade to the GPS-4000S will take advantage of the WAAS in the U.S. and simplify operations with GPS as primary means of navigation and eliminate time-consuming Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) check.

In November, Rockwell Collins announced FAA certification for WAAS/LPV functionality on the Bombardier Challenger 604 aircraft equipped with Rockwell Collins’ upgraded Flight Management System (FMS) and GPS-4000S global positioning system WAAS receiver. http://www.rockwellcollins.com/news/page11301.html

Rockwell Collins plans to complete approximately 15 certified WAAS/LPV solutions over the next year on a variety of Pro Line 4 and Pro Line 21 aircraft manufactured by Bombardier, Cessna, Dassault, and Hawker Beechcraft.

Source: Rockwell Collins

Hainan Airlines selects Rockwell Collins to supply avionics for A320s

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (January 19, 2009) - Hainan Airlines has selected Rockwell Collins to provide a comprehensive package of communication, navigation and surveillance avionics for 13 new Airbus A320 aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2010.

“A strong relationship with Hainan Airlines, teamwork across our enterprise and Rockwell Collins track record in providing proven avionics solutions all contributed to this win,” said Jeff Standerski, vice president and general manager of Air Transport for Rockwell Collins. “Hainan Airlines’ commitment to providing passengers with the highest level of safety and service will be further enhanced with the communication, navigation and surveillance avionics we’re providing for their new aircrafts.”

Rockwell Collins’ MultiScan™ Hazard Detection System is among the avionics selected by Hainan Airlines. The MultiScan system is the first and only radar that analyzes and determines actual weather hazards, not simply atmospheric moisture content. The MultiScan system is derived from extensive operational experience to create a fully automatic, hands-free airborne radar system that reduces pilot workload and enhances safety and passenger comfort by minimizing unexpected turbulence encounters, and provides optimal clutter-free weather displays.

Other equipment chosen by Hainan Airlines includes the GLU-920 Multi-Mode Receiver (MMR), an integrated unit that provides the aircraft’s primary position, velocity and time reference, and enables precision landing capability.

Rockwell Collins’ ADF-900 Automatic Direction Finder, DME-900 Distance Measuring Equipment, HFS-900D High Frequency Data Radio, CPL-920D Coupling Unit, VHF-920 Very High Frequency Transceiver, and VOR-900 VHF Omnidirectional Range receiver also have been selected.

Source: Northrop Grumman