The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has selected Rockwell Collins to develop new software analysis tools for verifying the safety of flight critical systems for future commercial aircraft. Under the terms of the one-year contract, Rockwell Collins will develop a set of software analysis tools, conduct demonstrations, and make recommendations to NASA.
Avionics systems are increasing in complexity as new capabilities are added that reduce carbon emissions, increase navigation performance and prepare for the FAA NextGen airspace initiative. This increased complexity brings the need for new methods for analysis that will assure that the system will operate safely under all conditions.
“Complex avionics systems can literally have billions of modes and states,” said John Borghese, vice president of the Rockwell Collins Advanced Technology Center. “By incorporating formal mathematical verification – also known as Formal Methods - we can detect and remove software bugs and security vulnerabilities early in the development process when it's less costly to correct errors.”
Rockwell Collins leadership in Formal Methods began with basic research into the methodology and tool development over a decade ago. Recently Rockwell Collins was awarded a $16 million Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program, High-Assurance Cyber Military Systems (HACMS), to develop new Formal Methods tools to provide cyber security solutions for unmanned air vehicles.
| Contact details from our directory: | |
| Collins Aerospace, Avionics Division | Head-Up Displays, Radio Communications Equipment, Moving Maps, Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS), LCD Displays, Engine Indicator Instruments, Cabin Management Systems, Automatic Flight Control Systems, Inflight Entertainment, Automatic Direction Finders, Cabin Address Systems, Autopilots, Radar/Radio Altimeters, Distance Measuring Equipment, VOR (Omnirange) Receivers, Avionics Management Systems, Air-to-Ground Data Links, Multi-Mode Receivers (MMR), Engine Control Quadrants, Control Panels, Aircraft & Helicopter Controllers, Collision Avoidance Systems/TCAS, Helmet-Mounted Displays (HMD), Weather Mapping Radar, Inertial Components & Systems, Attitude and Heading Reference Systems, Navigation Antennas, Transceivers, Flight Recorders, Cockpit Printers, Flight Directors, Flight Management Systems, Electronic Flight Instrument Systems, Air Data Computers, Onboard Computers, UAV Control Software, GPS, Simulation Systems, Surveillance/Air Defense Radar, Engine Controls, Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems, Horizontal Situation Indicator, Instrument Landing Systems, Command, Control & Intelligence Systems, Airborne Communication Systems, Cockpit Video Displays, Onboard Intercom Systems |
| NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center | Vibration Testing, Research/Consulting Services, Testing Services |
| Related directory sectors: |
| Indicators and Instruments |
| Flight and Data Management |
Weekly news by email:
See the latest Bulletin, and sign up free‑of‑charge for future editions.
Amprius and Stafl team up for battery pack innovation
RISE engine efficiency project gains momentum
Dufour picks Mejzlik propeller blades for the Aero2
