The initial order is for 75 HUDs, although American Airlines holds a further option for 425 units covering its entire fleet of Boeing's new airliner.
American Airlines' new kit exploits technology developed by GEC-Marconi for a range of aircraft including the Lockheed Martin F-16 and follows on from the 2020 civil HUD programme for the Gulfstream business jet, the units for which are now in full-scale production at the company's Rochester site in England. The market for civil HUDs is estimated by the company to be up to 16,000 systems over the next decade.
Capt Rick Owens, American Airlines' 737 fleet manager, says: "We are excited about this new partnership which provides our pilots with leading-edge technology to enhance safety and situation awareness."
GEC-Marconi managing director Lord Simpson comments: "This is an important step in our strategy to develop the civil component of our order book. It also marks a strong early leadership for GEC-Marconi in a market with enormous growth potential."
The company is at Chalet A17.
Source: Flight Daily News