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2019-11-11

Creating Next-Gen Solutions in Aerospace and Defence

Collins Aerospace, a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions in aerospace and defence, and one of the world’s largest suppliers of products in the segment, is making a strong presence at the Dubai Airshow. In an interview with Nation Shield, Kelly Ortberg, Chief Executive Officer of Collins Aerospace talks about the participation of the company at the Dubai Airshow and the new challenges in aerospace and defence.

By: Sakha Pramod

What products and services do you highlight at the Dubai Airshow?

At the Dubai Airshow, we’ll be showcasing solutions that enable a more intelligent, more connected and more electric aerospace and defence industry. The systems on exhibit, ranging from nose-to-tail systems for commercial aircraft to advanced networking technologies for the military, are designed to enhance the passenger experience, ensure mission success and provide enhanced value for customers worldwide.

They include:

• A cockpit display featuring Pro Line Fusion® integrated avionics now on more than 20 commercial and military platforms ranging from light business to commercial air transport aircraft.

• A cabin display highlighting Stage® and Venue® cabin management and entertainment systems for better passenger experience

• A defence systems display featuring technologies for air, ground and sea that keep defence forces safe, decisively aware and navigating confidently to gain an advantage within the battlespace.

The Arabian Gulf continues to be volatile. How important is the market here for you under the circumstances?

The region is a key market for Collins Aerospace and we continue to position ourselves in the Gulf in order to deliver the solutions that our civil and military customers need.

What special relationship do you visualise with UAE?

We’ve been present in the region for more than 20 years, and we’re committed to the region in the long-term, and specifically to the UAE. Our strategy is to continue to invest locally, helping to build a regional defence and aerospace industry, in line with the regional policies for economic diversification such as “Area 2071”, Abu Dhabi 2030”, develop new partnerships and train local talent to strengthen our presence.

Our objective is to continue to serve our customers in the UAE with the highest standards of operational excellence and help them in their future growth with the most innovative and trusted solutions and services.

In what way will the newly conceived Collins Aerospace’s SelfPass biometric solution streamline the boarding process at all Las Vegas international gates?

Nearly every passenger survey completed finds that one of their top frustrations is waiting in line at the airport, and the technology we’re deploying addresses this concern. The SelfPass gates use facial recognition technology to verify the identities of travellers, bringing up their flight information and allowing them to board the plane with only a facial recognition scan. It takes less than one second to capture and process a passenger’s facial image and eliminates the need to repeatedly present travel document.

Collins Aerospace was born out of the merger of UTC Aerospace Systems and Rockwell Collins. How has the synergy benefited the new company?

You’re right — and November is actually the one year anniversary of our two organisations coming together. We’re now made up of six strategic business units organised by product portfolio — and we’ve identified more than 100 revenue synergy opportunities. Some of these synergies are driven by innovations and enhanced product offerings that cross multiple business units. Incidentally we have also been named one of the world’s most ethical companies.

At Collins Aerospace you work with customers to tackle the toughest challenges in aerospace and defence? What are the key emerging challenges?

We work in one of the most complex industries in the world right now. Solutions on and off the aircraft are highly integrated, and almost always from multiple providers. In the meantime, our customers — need more sophisticated and smart solutions with greater capabilities.

The industry needs more electric technologies to address concerns about sustainability and efficiency; they’re seeking more intelligent and autonomous solutions to address a changing commercial and defence landscape; and of course, it all needs to be connected. We have 70,000 employees around the world that can help our customers navigate through these complex challenges.

You teamed up with Bell to deliver a high-performance solution for U.S. Army Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft. Can you tell us more about this?

Collins will be developing next-generation avionics that provide highly advanced air vehicle and mission management capabilities for the Bell 360 Invictus. This flight deck system includes multi-touch primary flight displays, our certified assured multicore processing components and a resilient digital backbone to provide secure separation of air vehicle and mission systems.

Your Company’s ‘Grasshopper Award’ recently honoured pilots saved by ACES ejection seat. What is so special about it?

The Grasshopper Award brings together all those responsible for the safe recovery of aircrew when they've needed to eject from their aircraft using one of our ACES ejection seats. The award ceremony provides the opportunity for Collins employees to meet aircrew and their families as a reminder of the very real, personal, and intimate impact that their work has on the lives of our warfighters. It’s also an opportunity for the aircrew to have the chance to pass along their gratitude for the life-saving work Collins employees are doing, as well as get a tour of the facility where the seats are made.

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