Smiths Aerospace has been picked by Boeing to develop and supply the 7E7 with the Common Core System (CCS), a crucial avionics system at the heart of the aircraft's open-architecture design.
CCS comprises computers and a partitioned operating system that will host the software applications of the aircraft's avionics and utilities. A conceptual successor to the AIMS aircraft information management system developed by Honeywell for the 777 in the 1990s, the CCS will be more extensive in its application throughout the aircraft, replacing dozens of standalone computers and databases fitted to current aircraft.
Based around two dual-redundant Common Computing Resources cabinets housing computing modules containing the partitioned operating system software, CCS will connect to a series of remote data concentrators as well as the avionics and utilities systems. Connections will be made using an Arinc 664 "deterministic Ethernet" advanced communications network.
Smiths Aerospace, which as a first-tier integrator in the 7E7 programme will manage the integration of third-party developed applications and software on to the CCS, says the architecture will allow functions on the 7E7 to be upgraded. The CCS will also be scaleable, allowing it to be used in other new aircraft developments. The work could be worth more than $1 billion over the life of the programme.
Honeywell is also confirmed as supplier of the 7E7 navigation package, as well as the crew information system/management system (CIS/MS) in contracts potentially worth more than $1.5 billion. The navigation suite includes flight management, inertial reference and air data systems as well as a multi-mode receiver to house both global and conventional navigation sensors.
Source: Flight International
