Rockwell to develop avionics system for Piaggio Aero MPA

Piaggio Aero has selected Rockwell Collins to develop an integrated avionics system with touch-control flight displays for its extended wing maritime patrol aircraft (MPA).

Rockwell Collins Business and Regional Systems vice president and general manager Greg Irmen said the company’s ability to customise integrated avionics systems for any mission, while enabling the pilot interface with faster and efficient information to the flight deck contributed to its selection.

Abu Dhabi Autonomous System Investments (ADASI), a subsidiary of Tawazun, had awarded a contract to Piaggio Aero in July 2012 to develop the special missions/surveillance MPA to support missions for land, coastal, maritime and offshore security.

Rockwell Collins’ integrated avionics system will feature easy-to-use touch-control primary flight displays to enhance situational awareness through all phases of flight.

The avionics system will also incorporate European mandate compliant Link 2000+ controller pilot data link communications (CPDLC) as well as European mandate compliant traffic alert collision avoidance system (TCAS II version 7.1) to enhance operational efficiency and safety.

Additional features include advanced communication, navigation and surveillance systems such as automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B Out) compatibility for impending SESAR and NextGen airspace requirements.

Ascend aircraft information manager (AIM) and synthetic vision for enhanced situational awareness during low-visibility conditions will also be included in the integrated system.

Equipped with Rockwell’s avionics system, the Piaggio Aero MPA is scheduled to undergo its first flight in 2014.