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Rockwell Collins introduces next generation of MultiScan
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (June 27, 2006) - Rockwell Collins today announced its next generation of weather radar, the MultiScan Hazard Detection™ system, which will
enable airlines safer, smoother and more efficient flights.
"We're introducing new features that offer an innovative approach to detecting, assessing and displaying weather hazards,"
said Kelly Ortberg, vice president and general manager, Air Transport Systems for Rockwell Collins. "This next generation
system has created a whole new category of weather detection and analysis capabilities, and is the result of an ongoing passion
to advance MultiScan through continuous field research and listening to the desires of the pilot community."
The system includes five ground-breaking technologies that go beyond today's most advanced radar systems by adding predictive
weather analysis and hazard detection features. These technologies include: Directed Sequential Hazard Assessment, Flight
Path Hazard Analysis, Storm Top Information, Predictive Overflight Protection and Enhanced Turbulence Detection.
At the foundation of the system's new capabilities is Directed Sequential Hazard Assessment, which offers a more comprehensive
way of presenting meteorological information. This patented technology allows MultiScan to detect weather hazards and then,
using a combination of horizontal and vertical scans, performs a threat analysis tailored to the phase of flight. It allows
the system to change radar parameters such as frequency, wave length and pulse width to thoroughly evaluate the specific weather
and determine its threat potential, transforming MultiScan into a threat detector instead of being a rain gauge. The end result
is the ability to provide flight crews information on storm height, growth rate and turbulent potential all referenced to
the aircraft flight plan.
Flight Path Hazard Analysis takes the information provided by the Directed Sequential Hazard Assessment feature and combines
it with flight path information to evaluate and display the actual weather threat along the aircraft's flight path tailored
to the phase of flight. Each phase of flight uses radar techniques best adapted for the weather detection and evaluation in
that region in order to display the actual threat.
Rockwell Collins MultiScan algorithms provide a method for estimating the top of a weather system. This Storm Top Information
can be displayed on the navigation display and when combined with the typical plan form radar display, allows flight crews
to determine the best possible weather avoidance maneuver by giving them all the critical information required to determine
the best route of flight.
MultiScan's Predictive Overflight Protection further enhances hazard detection capabilities by measuring the storm growth
rate and then makes a prediction on whether the storm or the clear air turbulence bubble above a developing storm cell will
reach the aircraft's flight level. The radar will then display the predicted area of turbulence on the radar display to alert
the flight crew of the potential hazard.
In addition to detecting and assessing storm systems, the Enhanced Turbulence (E-Turb) feature of Rockwell Collins MultiScan
Hazard Detection system, detects light to moderate turbulence events and provides flight crew warnings up to 40 NM ahead of
the aircraft. Speckled magenta areas on the radar screen will indicate light to mild turbulence and solid magenta areas identify
regions of moderate or greater turbulence. E-Turb functionality was made possible through a 2004 contract with NASA that Rockwell
Collins won to bring E-Turb to the market.
The new system builds on the success of our MultiScan Radar, which entered into service in 2002, and broke new ground as the
first commercially available, automatic weather radar. Other core capabilities in the MultiScan Radar system, which will remain
in the Hazard Detection System, include: 320 nautical mile weather detection and display capabilities, ground clutter suppression
and geographical weather correlation. The system is in use with more than 80 customers, and is software upgradeable to the
new MultiScan Hazard Detection system.
More details on Rockwell Collins MultiScan Hazard Detection System is available at www.rockwellcollins.com/multiscan.
Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a worldwide leader in the design, production, and support of communication and aviation electronics
for commercial and government customers. The company's 17,000 employees in 27 countries deliver industry-leading communication,
navigation, surveillance, display, flight control, in-flight entertainment, information management, and maintenance, training
and simulation solutions. Additional information is available at www.rockwellcollins.com.
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