Honeywell Expands Avionics Capability for Bombardier's Challenger

-- New Avionics NextGen Compatible, Extend Bombardier Aircraft Capability
-- Enhancements Include New Displays And Enhanced Next Generation FMS That Delivers RNP, FANS And WAAS-LPV

(Geneva, May 12, 2009) -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today that it is developing new avionics capabilities that will include NextGen features like, Future Air Navigation System FANS 1/A), Wide Area Augmentation System-Localizer Performance with Vertical guidance (WAAS-LPV) Required Navigation Procedures (RNP) and new Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) for certain Challenger 601 and Global Express aircraft.

The enhanced FMS software update gives these aircraft the capability to operate Required Navigation Procedures- and will be later this year.

To take full advantage of all new FMS features additional upgrades to other systems may be necessary and additional crew certification and training may be required.

"The expansion of avionics capabilities for certain Challenger 601 aircraft are included in our new Flight Management System version 6.1 that will offer operators NextGen compatible navigation capabilities, without having to invest in a full cockpit overhaul," said Rob Wilson, President, Honeywell Business Aviation. "The addition of WAAS-LPV approach capability will also give these aircraft access to over 1,500 approaches in the United States for the approach type, expanding their mission capability, while allowing their operators to save time and operational costs via RNP operations."

The new Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) DU-875 display option that will be retrofittable for Global Express aircraft will be capable of displaying XM Weather and paperless charts. The new DU-875 display system incorporates a LED backlight and patented wide angle visibility technology and will also support future growth to Synthetic Vision.

"These new avionics capabilities are designed to accommodate the planned features of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NGATS) and Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) functionality," said Rob Wilson, President, Honeywell Business Aviation. "Honeywell's flight management systems will improve operating costs and air traffic management capabilities on business aviation aircraft, saving time and reducing emissions," Wilson said. "These updates will enable fuel savings, enhanced payload capability while reducing maintenance costs, allowing operators to expand their aircraft's capabilities without incurring the complexity of a full cockpit overhaul."

RNP is a key component of the FAA's next-generation performance-based navigation system. It utilizes global positioning and inertial reference system navigation, allowing aircraft to fly predetermined paths loaded in their flight management computers. "RNP will save Challenger 601 and Global Express aircraft operators time and fuel costs during airport operations and this functionality will enhance legacy systems improving aircraft capability in the evolving air space operations," said Chad Cundiff, Vice President, Crew Interface Systems, Honeywell Aerospace.

WAAS and Advanced RNP procedures help aircraft access airports at weather minima lower than many other types of approaches and fly more precise approaches and departures, increasing operational efficiency and reducing operating costs, noise and emissions. WAAS provides vertical guidance during LPV approaches, increasing navigation accuracy and availability. The Global Express will also have FANS capability enabled, which is designed to allow more aircraft to safely and efficiently utilize oceanic airspace using automatic dependent surveillance and data link technology.

"As an avionics leader and innovator of integrated cockpits, Honeywell has the avionics bandwidth to deliver a broad suite of avionics capabilities for these Challenger 601 and Global Express aircraft," said Chad Cundiff, Vice President, Honeywell crew interface systems. "By retrofitting our DU-875 displays, the Global Express aircraft operators will be able to see a significant decrease in avionics weight, and get a significant increase in reliability and future growth to Synthetic Vision capability that fuses terrain data and advanced HUD symbology, giving the flight crew unprecedented situational awareness using the most tested and reliable terrain database available."

Source : Honeywell International, Inc. (NYSE: HON) - click here for more information