Barco of Belgium has won the deal to provide the electronic flight bag (EFB) for the Airbus A380.
It estimates the value at only $17 million, but the win is a key victory in the hard-fought world of EFBs in which numerous players are contesting a market that has barely got under way. It is particularly important to Barco, which hopes for substantial growth in its cockpit display business.
On the A380, says Barco, the system is known as the Onboard Information Terminal (OIT). Barco's solution is a 305mm (12in) liquid-crystal display with its own processor and crew input devices, including a keyboard, trackball mouse, and a "configurable input device". It is integrated into the aircraft's Sagem-developed network server system.
The type will have one OIT on each side of the cockpit and the device will be used for a wide range of electronic display applications including maintenance manuals, security procedures, navigation and performance data.
KIERAN DALY / LONDON
Source: Flight International
