ATLANTA, GA /PRNewswire/ -- NBAA -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON), booth 6600, and Gulfstream, the only companies to have a certified synthetic vision system on large business jets, announced that they have been awarded a $1.2 million contract for an 11-month testing program of Synthetic and Enhanced Vision Systems (SEVS) technologies for the NextGen flight environment.
Under the NASA contract, Honeywell and Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation will explore the operational enhancements provided by a Honeywell-developed Synthetic Vision System (SVS) with Gulfstream's Enhanced Vision System (EVS) to further extend the capabilities of cockpit displays to facilitate the use of visual flight rule-like procedures in instrument conditions.
Honeywell's current SVS system provides pilots with a clear depiction of the terrain and potential obstacles exactly as they would see them looking out the cockpit, regardless of outside weather conditions. Gulfstream's EVS uses an infrared sensor, which is capable of seeing in night and low visibility conditions, to project an image on the Head-Up Display (HUD) that is conformal to the outside world.
Honeywell and Gulfstream will conduct flight tests of SVS and EVS by allowing pilots to fly approaches to an airport in instrument conditions as low as 500 feet above the runway. Flight trials will investigate using SVS as low as 100 feet above threshold, transitioning to EVS and using it to land, thereby extending the current operational capability of SVS-equipped aircraft.
"Honeywell is extending its technical leadership in synthetic vision products under this program," said Carl Esposito, vice president, Product Management, Honeywell Aerospace. "We brought synthetic vision to aviation nearly five years ago, and this program expands the capacity of our technology to offer flight crews greater capability to land in challenging weather environments."
The program's overall research goal is to provide data for effective development and implementation of regulatory guidance and procedures that support the introduction and use of synthetic and enhanced vision system technologies in support of Equivalent Visual Operations (EVO), a key initiative in the FAA's plan for NextGen. Such activities mirror those of Honeywell and Gulfstream and are currently research topics of interest for both companies.
"This approach will assist NASA in meeting their aviation safety goals to improve the inherent safety attributes of new and legacy vehicles and overcome aircraft safety technological barriers that would otherwise constrain the full realization of the NextGen flight environment," said Pres Henne, senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation.
The program objective is to conduct flight test activities to obtain pilot-in-the-loop operational test data using Synthetic and Enhanced Vision Systems. The Honeywell-Gulfstream team will assist the government to develop the comprehensive flight test plan and provide objective data measures of pilot performance during pilot-in-the-loop flight tests. Honeywell will leverage industry-leading experience in flight test to determine the usability and safety of SEVS as certified on the PlaneView equipped Gulfstream G350, G450, G500, and G550 aircraft.
Honeywell's SmartView Synthetic Vision System is available today as an upgrade for Primus Epic equipped Gulfstream aircraft and is installed on more than 170 airplanes. The Primus Epic system has also been selected for Gulfstream's 650 aircraft.
For more information on SmartView Synthetic Vision go to www.experiencethevision.com or www.gulfstream.com/gulfstreamsvpfd.
In addition to the use of their G450 for flight test, Gulfstream brings its vast experience in low visibility flight test operations and development and certification of display concepts to the program. These activities will be the basis for enabling SEVS avionics pursuant to NextGen and NASA Aviation Safety and Integrated Intelligent Flight Deck (IIFD) goals.
About Honeywell
Based in Phoenix, AZ, Honeywell's aerospace business is a leading global provider of integrated avionics, engines, systems and service solutions for aircraft manufacturers, airlines, business and general aviation, military, space and airport operations.
Honeywell International is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges.