Rockwell Collins to Supply Avionics System for B-747-8

The Boeing Company has selected Rockwell Collins to provide the entire suite of displays, autopilot, communication, navigation, surveillance, maintenance, emergency and data management systems for its new 747-8 airplane family that is scheduled to enter into service in late 2009.

The dash 8 will feature Rockwell Collins' DU-7001 AMLCDs (active matrix liquid crystal displays), which will be upgraded to include many advanced features, such as an electronic checklist with a cursor control panel and navigation performance scales and vertical situation depictions, found on B-777s.  In addition, the airplane's autopilot and navigation systems will include a GPS-based approach and landing system functionality.

Another notable Rockwell Collins' component will be the dash 8's fully automatic WXR-2100 MultiScan hazard detection system, which Rockwell says analyzes and determines actual weather hazards, not simply atmospheric moisture content as traditional weather radars do.

Other Rockwell Collins's equipment includes the aircraft's CMU (communication management unit), satcom (satellite communications) system, VHF and HF (very high and high frequency) radio transceivers, VHF omnidirectional navigation radios, DME (distance measuring equipment), ADF (automatic direction finder), MMR (multi-mode receiver), mode-S transponder, CVR and FDR (cockpit voice and flight-data recorders), DMU (data management unit), EFT (emergency locator transmitter) and flight-deck printer.

Boeing launched the new intercontinental passenger and freighter airplane on Nov. 14, 2005.  Since its launch, the program has secured firm orders for 24 passenger models and 54 freighters, according to Boeing.  02-06-2007.

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