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| Rockwell Collins MultiScan Threat track will be featured on Alafco’s 85 A320 aircraft. Photo: Rockwell Collins |
[Avionics Today 06-15-2015] Rockwell Collins will pursue a series of initiatives that will increase capacity and expand the company’s ARINC global network throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The initiatives, aimed at proactively addressing growing air traffic and more data being generated by modern aircraft, include expanding the number of Very High Frequency (VHF) ground stations, adding VHF Digital Link Mode 2 (VDL Mode 2) frequency capacity in Europe and implementing a proprietary algorithm that will increase network capacity significantly over traditional VHF solutions. The enhancements are now operational at a number of key European airports and are being rolled out across the region.
“These are significant investments by Rockwell Collins that will deliver a host of benefits to airlines flying in the EMEA region,” explained Jeff Standerski, senior vice president of information management services at Rockwell Collins. “Airlines will have access to the most robust, secure communications network available to transmit critical flight and crew information to and from the aircraft. In addition, the new airport-based frequencies will significantly improve performance for operators by automatically transitioning aircraft communications to the optimal frequency based on network load and capacity.”
The company has also announced that Alafco Aviation Lease and Finance Company, based in Kuwait, has selected a suite of Rockwell Collins avionics, including MultiScan ThreatTrack weather radar and Multi Mode Receiver (MMR), for 85 A320 New Engine Option (NEO) aircraft. In addition, ALAFCO is provisioning its A320 NEO fleet for Rockwell Collins’ Paves Overhead Broadcast and Paves Wireless Content Distribution In-flight Entertainment System (IFE). Deliveries will begin in 2017.