Press release
21/06/2011
As a supplier to Boeing on the KC-46 Tanker, Rockwell Collins will provide a wide range of the most advanced technologies for the warfighter. A recently signed contract with Boeing calls for Rockwell Collins to provide the flight deck, aircraft networks, surveillance/air traffic management equipment, communications and navigation gear, as well as the advanced situational awareness and vision systems required for aerial refueling. The flight deck will utilize the same technology that Rockwell Collins is supplying for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner jet.
"Rockwell Collins' unique ability to leverage our flight deck technology across our commercial and military businesses ensures that the most advanced capabilities are provided for U.S. Air Force pilots, resulting in greater situational awareness and mission effectiveness," said Kelly Ortberg, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Rockwell Collins Government Systems. "Our track record of on-time, on-budget delivery of reliable and highly capable systems has set us apart as a trusted provider of avionics for our customers."
Rockwell Collins will provide the following systems for the KC-46 Tanker airplane:
• An integrated display system featuring four 15.1-inch diagonal liquid crystal displays built on proven technology from the Boeing 787 program, providing significantly higher levels of reliability and safety. Each display provides two independently controlled display windows for a total of eight that accommodates multiple display functions on a single screen.
• Tactical Situational Awareness System. Built on a Joint Interoperability Test Command-certified system, the system provides situational awareness to the crew, routing cues to avoid imminent threats in the area and awareness of friendly entities.
• Remote Vision System. A critical combination of 3-D and 2-D technology in both normal and long wave infrared spectrums that provide the aerial refueling officer with the ability to refuel aircraft at any time, day or night, under any lighting conditions.
• Signal Data Concentrator Network. A DO-178B and DO-254 certified system forming the avionics network on the aircraft using the ARINC 664 standard for fast translation and sharing of aircraft system information between components.
• Rockwell Collins is also providing state-of-the-art communications, navigation, surveillance, networking and flight control systems for the KC-46.