Raytheon Airline Aviation Services (RAAS) and Raytheon Aircraft Services have teamed with ACSS, an L-3 Communications and Thales company, to offer the T2CAS combined traffic and terrain avoidance system for retrofit to the Beech 1900 series.
The combined system will allow 1900 operators to meet the latest TCAS (traffic collision avoidance system) and TAWS (terrain awareness warning system) mandates, says ACSS, which adds that certification is planned initially on the 1900B/C versions in the first quarter of 2004, followed by the 1900D. ACSS says that "RAAS has purchased the first set for a fleet of 1900B/C aircraft", and adds: "Two European operators are also lined up to refit their aircraft with T2CAS through RAAS."
The T2CAS system, which was certificated by the US Federal Aviation Administration in February 2003, combines a predictive, performance-based Class A TAWS with the company's TCAS 2000 system. Eighteen operators and manufacturers have now ordered the system, compared to just five this time a year ago.
First flight tested on a Beech King Air C90, the T2CAS is also being fitted to several other turboprops, ranging from the BAE Systems Jetstream 31/41 and Lockheed Martin P-3 to the ATR 42/72s to be operated by FedEx Express.
The system, production deliveries of which began in June 2003, is also being fitted to a wide range of jet aircraft, including BAE Systems' RJ85 and the Airbus A330-200.
Source: Flight International
