ADS-B Out milestone met for three NAVAIR aircraft platforms
NewsNovember 10, 2017
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa. Rockwell Collins recently achieved implementation of ADS-B Out software on C-2A, E2-C, and P-3C aircraft for the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). The certified software brings these aircraft into compliance with the upcoming ADS-B Out mandates, which the FAA has required by the end of 2019.
According to FAA documents, automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast (ADS–B) is a surveillance technology in which an aircraft determines its position via satellite navigation and periodically broadcasts it, enabling the craft to be tracked. The information can be received by air-traffic control ground stations as a replacement for secondary radar; it can also be received by other aircraft to provide situational awareness and allow self separation.
Rockwell Collins officials report that the initial software underwent flight testing and was confirmed production-ready without needing any adjustments; the "production-ready" confirmation also paves the way for other aircraft platform certifications with similar transponder types, such as the C-130 and C-5.