ROCKWELL'S COLLINS Air Transport division is developing a follow-on traffic-alert and collision-avoidance system (TCAS 4), based on the global-positioning system (GPS), with the goal of providing a prototype unit to the US Federal Aviation Administration in December 1999.
The TCAS 4 will use differential-GPS position reports and automatic dependent-surveillance broadcasts to provide horizontal-resolution advisories, in addition to the vertical-manoeuvre recommendations provided by the present TCAS 2, Collins says.
The FAA calls for a TCAS 4 limited-installation programme to begin in December 2000. Manufacturers are required to provide prototypes by December 1999 for testing of integrated horizontal and vertical displays, and combined horizontal and vertical manoeuvres.
Source: Flight International
