FedEX is examining options to fit up to 290 of its jet aircraft with head-up displays (HUD) or enhanced vision systems (EVS).
The programme has been launched to improve safety, permit operations to lower weather minima and broaden situational awareness. It was prompted by recent landing accidents involving the carrier's Boeing MD-11s.
The carrier has issued a request for proposals for HUDs and other EVS-based solutions, to equip up to 39 MD-11s, 79 MD-10s and 77 Airbus A300/A310s. It has also asked for quotes to include up to 95 Boeing 727-200s, but FedEx says these may not be included in the programme if it goes ahead.
FedEx is already undertaking a major avionics upgrade of its McDonnell Douglas DC-10 freighters, with the installation of the Honeywell VIA 2000 two-crew advanced common flightdeck, which are redesignated MD-10s.
For the HUD solution, the requirement calls for the use of the system as a monitor only. In this configuration, the HUD would repeat the information shown on the head-down flight director display and provide guidance commands to improve situational awareness. In normal commercial operation, processors within the HUDs take flight and other sensor data, and independently compute a landing solution which is displayed on the combiner.
Main bidders include BAE Systems with a version of the Visual Guidance System, developed for Boeing 737-800s operated by American Airlines and Rockwell Collins Flight Dynamics with the Head-Up-Guidance System HGS-4000. This system, also developed for the Next Generation 737 family, has also been designed by the Oregon-based company for Boeing 757s, 767s, 777s as well as the 717 and MD-80/90.
Although the FedEx requirement is large in overall number terms, the competition is not expected to generate the same levels of excitement as the recent American and Delta HUD contests. This is because the only aircraft types still in production are the Airbus twins, and all would require individual, and costly, certification efforts.
Source: Flight International
