Embraer selects Rockwell Collins advanced, open-architecture COTS avionics system for Brazilian Air Force KC-390 fleet
Posted by Courtney E. Howard
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, 5 May 2011. Embraer Defense and Security officials have selected Rockwell Collins to provide its Pro Line Fusion flight deckavionics for the KC-390 tanker/transport aircraft. The Brazilian Air Force is purchasing 28 KC-390 aircraft.
“This award is emblematic of our ability to leverage commercial avionics technology for military applications,” explains Dave Nieuwsma, vice president and general manager of Mobility and Rotary Wing Solutions for Rockwell Collins. “With advanced technologies, including the largest format displays available, enhanced graphic capabilities, and available synthetic vision, our Pro Line Fusion flight deck will provide KC-390 pilots with the highest levels of situational awareness while reducing their workload to ensure mission success.”
The KC-390 avionics system’s human interface is designed to provide pilots extensive situational awareness for enhanced decision-making and improved operational efficiencies.
“Strategically, this award means a great deal to Rockwell Collins as it builds upon more than 35 years of serving the rapidly growing Brazilian military and civil aviation industry, including the very strong relationship we’ve built with Embraer,” says LeAnn Ridgeway, vice president and managing director, Americas, Rockwell Collins International & Service Solutions.
Standard features on the KC-390 flight deck include: five high-resolution 15-inch diagonal Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD), Integrated Flight Information Systems (IFIS) with electronic charts and enhanced maps, advanced Flight Management Systems (FMS) with Wide Area Augmentation System that supports Localizer Performance with Vertical guidance approaches (WAAS/LPV) and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) capabilities, advanced graphical flight planning capability, and an Information Management System (IMS) to manage databases and facilitate wireless interactivity with the ground infrastructure.
Rockwell Collins is leveraging avionics and communications developments across the company’s commercial and military businesses and applying commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology along with an open systems approach.
