GUY NORRIS / LOS ANGELES
Link between Boeing and Flight Dynamics will provide EVS for business jet while Dassault ponders system for Falcons
Boeing Business Jets and Rockwell Collins Flight Dynamics are teaming to provide an enhanced vision system (EVS) for the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ).
The final decision to link was made at the end of May and no decision has yet been taken on the workshare split, or the provider of the infrared (IR) sensors for the EVS. Flight Dynamics corporate aviation manager Larry Brandt says a request for information will be issued to IR sensor makers "within 30 days", with the winning equipment supplier expected to be selected by year-end. Target date for the first EVS to be supplied to a BBJ operator is mid- to late 2005, says Brandt.
All BBJs have the Flight Dynamics HGS-4000 head-up guidance system (HGS) as standard, and the Portland, Oregon-based manufacturer will modify the display to provide raster capability. This is a vital element of the EVS because raster-capability is required to provide head-up viewing of the combined HGS flight guidance data and the IR imagery from the thermal sensors.
Although Flight Dynamics is known to be exploring possible joint programmes with neighbouring EVS specialist Max-Viz, it stresses that competing suppliers CMC Electronics and Kollsman Avionics will be invited to bid. "We have no relationship with any IR sensor vendor," says Brandt.
Flight Dynamics is also in the "early stages" of an EVS study with Dassault over developing systems for its Falcon family. Initial focus is likely to be on the Falcon 900EX and 2000EX with the advanced EASy flightdeck, as well as the Falcon 7X, which will be equipped with the next-generation HGS-5000 version of the Flight Dynamics head-up system.
"We do have a commitment to provide a raster display for these programmes, but it may be different to an EVS programme," says Brandt. "We don't have a formal programme for EVS on these aircraft."
For now, Flight Dynamics is supporting the forthcoming certification of the EASy-equipped Falcon 900EX with the raster-upgradable HGS-4860 to an initial non-Category 3 standard. Full Cat 3 certification is expected by year-end, with possible pursuit of an EVS-capable system in 2004. The equipment maker and Dassault are evaluating sensors and talking to French certification authority DGAC about an EVS notice of proposed rulemaking similar to that issued earlier this year by the US Federal Aviation Administration. Meanwhile, certification of the Max-Viz EVS-1000-equipped Falcon 900EX is due at any time.
Initial engineering versions of the liquid crystal display technology HGS-5000 are due to be delivered in November 2004 to Dassault for flight testing in the Falcon 7X in 2005.
Source: Flight International
