Avionics manufacturer CMC has started testing the latest generation of its flight management system and high-performance GPS in an Airbus A310 Polaris aircraft, under a Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) programme to upgrade its fleet of five of the multi-role aircraft.
Canada's Polaris fleet is composed of two multi-role transport and tanker aircraft, two passenger/freighter "combi" aircraft and one VIP and passenger transport.
As part of the retrofit, CMC will remove the legacy Honeywell flight management system from each aircraft and install dual CMA-9000 FMS units, along with CMA-5024 wide-area augmentation system GPS.
This will allow for precision area navigation, as well as "several tactical functions that enhance performance", CMC said.
The company said it worked with the DND, Polaris maintenance contractor Aveos and Transport Canada to complete the first round of testing in one of the Polaris aircraft.
The company expects to receive a supplementary type certificate for the upgrade in the second quarter of 2012, followed by entry into service, also in the second quarter.
Source: Flight International
