L-3 Communications (booth 603) today took the wraps off its new SmartDeck integrated flightdeck, simultaneously announcing its first application – in Cirrus’s The-Jet.
SmartDeck integrates navigation, weather, traffic and terrain avoidance, communication, flight controls, engine monitoring and enhanced vision in a single compact, lightweight glass cockpit. Existing L-3 products brought together in the new package include SkyWatch collision avoidance, LandMark terrain awareness warning, StormScope lightning detection, IRIS infrared imaging and S-TEC IntelliFlight integrated digital flight controls.
“SmartDeck is the next-generation glass cockpit,” L-3 Avionics president Adrienne Stevens said this morning. “It’s integrated, intuitive and sophisticated, delivering the whole range of information on high-resolution 12in [305mm] XGA displays. And the information and controls are organized in ways that are both logical and easy to use. Just as in the iPod, you can get virtually anywhere you want in three clicks or less.”
SmartDeck is to be customized for the Cirrus The-Jet development program. The new deal reflects an existing relationship dating to 1999, under which L-3 has supplied Cirrus with systems such as StormScope and SkyWatch for its SR20 and SR22 piston singles.
“We chose SmartDeck for the development phase of our personal jet because, while it is technologically advanced, it is remarkably powerful, yet easy to use,” says Cirrus chief executive Alan Klapmeier.
L-3 has an aircraft outfitted with SmartDeck at the show static park and is making it available for demonstration flights for press and potential customers.
Source: Flight Daily News
