PHOENIX, Ariz.
Highlights:
- Part of GA-ASI’s Detect and Avoid System to fly RPA in civilian airspace
- Enables real-time strategic maneuvers to reduce the likelihood of mid-air collisions
- Exclusive five-year agreement to provide approximately 200 units
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has awarded ACSS, an L3Harris Technologies and Thales Company, a five-year contract to supply ACSS’ Airborne DAA Processor to be integrated into GA-ASI’s Detect and Avoid System (DAAS). The DAA system is being developed for installation on several of GA-ASI’s Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) models.
GA-ASI’s advanced DAA system includes an air-to-air radar, control stations and datalink components to enable operators to avoid mid-air collisions with aircraft and objects. The program is on track to meet the latest Detect and Avoid (DAA) TSO-c211 and Air-to-Air Radar (ATAR) TSO-c212 standards.
The ACSS solution is the latest evolution of TCAS II technology to meet the emerging unmanned aircraft market. GA-ASI’s DAA system will be the first to use this advanced sensing, avoiding and non-cooperative technology, increasing flight efficiency and safety of the unmanned aircraft.
“Civil and mission-critical applications are driving the need for unmanned aircraft solutions such as drones and air taxies,” said Terry Flaishans, President, ACSS. “GA-ASI chose ACSS because we have nearly 20 years of TCAS and ADS-B technology leadership. We continue to invest and develop our industry-leading solutions specifically for future unmanned aircraft and Urban Air Mobility applications to create safe and secure skies for the future.”
Under the contract, ACSS will supply approximately 200 DAA processor units over the next five years. The ACSS DAA processor consists of TCAS II, DAA and ADS-B functionality in a compact, lightweight MCU unit. This advanced, non-cooperative sensor integration is a significant step towards achieving future unmanned flights in civilian airspace using the same collision avoidance technology as manned aircraft.
About ACSS
Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems (ACSS) is a joint venture, with 70 percent owned by L3Harris Technologies and 30 percent owned by Thales, and is part of L3Harris’ Aviation Systems segment. ACSS designs and manufactures products for all aircraft and helicopter segments, and supports products for air transport and regional airlines, business aviation, and helicopter, General Aviation (GA), manned and unmanned military aircraft operators. ACSS produces avionics systems that increase safety, situational awareness, and efficiency for commercial and military flight operators. More than 75,000 ACSS products are operating in commercial, corporate and military aircraft. For more information, visit: l3harrisairlineacademy.com.
About L3Harris Technologies
L3Harris Technologies is an agile global aerospace and defense technology innovator, delivering end-to-end solutions that meet customers’ mission-critical needs. The company provides advanced defense and commercial technologies across air, land, sea, space and cyber domains. L3Harris has approximately $17 billion in annual revenue and 50,000 employees, with customers in 130 countries. L3Harris.com.
About Thales
Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace, Transport, Defense and Security markets. With 80,000 employees in 68 countries, Thales reported sales of $22.4 billion in 2018. With over 22,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design and deploy equipment, systems and services to meet the most complex security requirements. Its exceptional international footprint allows it to work closely with its customers all over the world. Thales Avionics is the exclusive air transport sales and support agent of ACSS products. For information about Thales Avionics, visit www.thalesgroup.com.
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