GE Aviation wins Boeing KC-46 tanker flight management system approval
GE Aviation wins Boeing KC-46 tanker flight management system approval
GE Aviation, a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines, and avionics, digital solutions and electrical power systems for aircraft has secured approval for its flight management system from the Boeing KC-46 tanker program. The approval is a result of Boeing securing an amended type certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the 767-2C aircraft configuration of the KC-46 aircraft. The flight management system and communications management applications (CMA) are part of the KC-46 mission control system, which manages the aircraft mission.
This is the first aircraft that GE Aviation has received FAA approval for its flight management system integrated with its own CMA. The CMA takes the place of the communication management unit (CMU) on the aircraft by providing the communications management function as a hosted application running on the flight management computer. The CMA offers full aircraft communications addressing and reporting system (ACARS) and aeronautical telecommunications network (ATN) data link communications between the aircraft, and Air Traffic Control and the mission control center. By providing the FMS and CMA/ATN capability as software applications, GE has provided a more integrated user interface and eliminated the traditional CMU hardware on the aircraft.
Boeing team which included Commercial Airplanes and Defense, Space & Security personnel, completed a series of analyses and lab, ground and flight tests that included avionics, auto-flight and environmental control systems, as well as its new fuel system.
The ATC is one of two FAA airworthiness certifications required for the KC-46 program. A combined Boeing/Air Force team has been completing Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) work concurrently which includes the military systems that are installed on the 767-2C to make it a tanker.
The FMS provides primary multi-sensor navigation along with flight plan management and construction. Performing trajectory computations, the FMS assists in aircraft guidance, and provides aircraft performance advisory information. Tactical refueling operations can be conducted by the system as well. This includes setting up intercepts for rendezvous, timed holds, and multiple refueling patterns. Control and management of onboard military communications systems is also provided through the FMS.
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