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2017-01-09

Rockwell Collins: The preferred avionics solution for global airlines

At IDEX, the company plans to introduce innovative solutions for defense, security and protection.

Rockwell Collins, a pioneer in the design, production and support of innovative solutions in aerospace and defense, is participating in IDEX 2017 in a big way. The company expertise in flight-deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission communications, information management and simulation and training enjoys a global support network spanning 150 countries. In an exclusive interview, Claude Alber, vice president and managing director, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Rockwell Collins, spoke to Nation Shield on its global capabilities and strong presence in the Middle East.

By: Sakha Pramod

After acquiring ARINC in 2013, you have active businesses in many Middle East airports including Dubai. How has it improved operations in aviation?

We are pleased to be offering our portfolio of airports products to the Middle East airports market, and in particular to some of the largest airports of the region including Dubai and Doha. Our products help optimize and maximize the efficiency and operation of airports by coordinating all the operational systems to provide a seamless functioning of the airport by smoothly integrating diverse sets of information to provide the right information to the right user at the right time. Our tools and skills help seamless operations at airports.

Your avionics equipment is flying on several airlines in the Middle East. How well are they accepted in the Middle East?

Our avionics are effectively the preferred solution across many airline fleets, including the Middle East, and their acceptance is reflected in our 2016 “number 1 Airbus and Boeing customer support” ratings. We have a privileged and trusted relationship with Middle Eastern airlines supported by our regional office in Dubai. This will continue thanks to our strong standard positions across new generation aircraft being delivered into the region such as the A350XWB, B737MAX, and future B777X.

How do your Common Architecture Avionic System (CAAS) Cockpit and Joint Secure Air Combat Training System (JSAS) enhance security?

Our Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) is a combat proven cockpit avionics management system for the Chinook helicopter that provides enhanced mission effectiveness and safety on the battlefield. Capabilities such as precision flight and performance management capabilities, fully integrated mission equipment management, and advanced digital map ensure pilots are more easily able to execute difficult missions in today’s highly demanding threat environments.

To what extent does it help reduce cost of technology insertions?

CAAS is the first cockpit management system for military helicopters providing an Open System Architecture design. Utilizing fully partitioned mission application software and open design standards such as ARINC 653 RTOS, high-integrity Ethernet data transfer CAAS led a new way of designing military avionics systems. Adherence to these standards helps ensure that technology insertions and capabilities enhancements may be done with minimal disruption to existing system software and data bus interfaces, reducing time and cost to field needed mission capabilities upgrades.

Can you tell us more about your JSAS which is the next-generation system for secure, Live Virtual Constructive-capable training?

The Rockwell Collins Joint Secure Air Combat Training System (JSAS) is the latest generation system for Live, Virtual, Constructive (LVC) capable training offering increased operational realism. It brings all the combined capabilities for high-fidelity air combat training. It is like training while you are fighting and fighting as you are training. Thanks to the secure networks you can use live elements, training in the real terrain together with virtual simulators in other locations. In a much more cost-effective training you can use a combination of live and simulated equipment allowing you to tailor the training your forces really needs.

You are also introducing a new FireStorm version in the Middle East. What is new and how it will benefit to the forces in the region?

Rockwell Collins is continually updating its family of FireStorm systems on a global basis and the Middle East is a very important part of that process. As computer processing, software, communications and navigation technologies develop we are seeing smaller, lighter and more capable targeting options emerging and FireStorm is at the heart of those developments. Our latest FireStorm system is a completely mobile, body worn system designed to enable accurate targeting for Close Air Support (CAS) operations and artillery.

The benefits for the forces in the region are that the forward deployed fire support teams have lighter equipment that can be more mobile and have better and more flexible situational awareness.

Our new systems will be shown at IDEX 2017 in Abu Dhabi and we are expecting to close several new contracts in the region in the coming months.

How do you see your business in the Middle East, particularly UAE, going forward?

We will continue to proactively address our UAE customer needs, in the domain of expertise of Rockwell Collins, and to bring innovative and proven solutions in answer to the growing regional threats. We are also working hand in hand with local authorities, end-users and industry to accompany the UAE vision in building local knowledge-based capabilities to support some of the strategic defense and aerospace programs. We see a growing business for Rockwell Collins directly with our traditional customers but also through strategic partnerships.

Could you tell us about your participation in IDEX?

At the expo, Rockwell Collins will promote its broad range of solutions in the air and ground domains and showcase recent advancements in avionics, networking and joint fires solutions, and simulation & training. As we are chartered to grow in the region we also plan to announce strategic partnerships with key players in the region. Products and services that will be on display include the Body worn FireStorm™ Integrated Targeting System, RealFires™ for simulation solutions, TruNet™ networked communication systems, our new helicopter retrofit solution and Pro Line Fusion avionics systems for fix and rotary wing platforms, GPS systems and the PSR-500, a new high-resolution, compact radar for perimeter surveillance enabling users to track and record intrusions in all weather.

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