[Avionics Today 09-15-2014] Bombardier and Marshall Aerospace and Defense Group have signed a conditional letter of agreement to develop a Future Air Navigation System (FANS) 1/A+ avionics upgrade for the Challenger 604 aircraft. According to Marshall, the upgrade will be designed to enhance pilot to Air Traffic Control (ATC) communications and allow access to dedicated and shorter route FANS 1/A+ to North Atlantic tracks for the 361 Challenger 604’s currently on the market.
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| Bombardier Challenger 604. Photo: Marshall Aerospace |
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) developed FANS 1/A+ as one of a number of technologies behind next generation Air Traffic Management (ATM). According to Marshall, it allows for the better handling of higher volumes of air traffic and could provide customers and operators’ customers with savings on time and fuel burn by providing access to efficient navigation routes.
Marshall is responsible for designing the first FANS 1/A+ upgrade for Bombardier available on the market, which will consist entirely of commercially available equipment. The United Kingdom-based company will complete a trial installation of the upgrade for early 2015.