Phoenix-based Aviation Communication and Surveillance Systems (ACSS, Booth No. 2164), a subsidiary of New York City-headquartered L-3 Communications and French manufacturer Thales Avionics, recently added the L-3 Display Systems SuperSet 6.4 multi-function display (MFD) to its portfolio. ACSS, the product of a European commission-mandated spin-off of the Honeywell/AlliedSignal merger, manufactures the TCAS 2000 traffic collision avoidance system and the soon-to-be-certified terrain and traffic collision avoidance system (T2CAS).

The SuperSet 6.4 MFD is the first entry into the commercial aviation market for L-3, which specializes in secure communications and display systems for military and government applications. Drawing on its military experience, L-3 built the high-resolution SuperSet display to meet a wide range of cockpit traffic, terrain and radar display requirements.

“The SuperSet family of displays are based on a new, state-of-the-art design using the latest AMLCD [active matrix liquid crystal display] technology,” said Bob McGill, president of L-3 Display Systems. “The SuperSet 6.4 MFD is a cost-effective, high-performance display targeted at jet customers using terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS), TCAS, cockpit display of traffic information (CDTI) and weather radar applications.”

FedEx Express, the first commercial customer of the L-3 SuperSet 6.4 MFD, recently selected the display as a companion to the ACSS T2CAS system on its fleet of F-27s.

Through its global network of authorized dealers, ACSS is also offering a number of Thales Avionics products including the three-in-one Integrated Electronic Standby Indicator (IESI) with altimeter, airspeed and altitude functions; Jetsat Aero-I satellite phone, fax and data communications device; emergency locator transmitter (ELT), multi-port printer and Extended Quick Access Recorder (EQAR) flight data storage and analysis unit.  

The newly offered L-3 and Thales products strengthens ACSS’ portfolio as momentum builds for its T2CAS product, which is scheduled for certification late this year and delivery in July 2003. Unlike other terrain awareness warning systems, T2CAS bases its alerts on an aircraft’s actual ability to climb at a given moment, not on predetermined computations. Since the product announcement at the 2001 Paris Air Show, several regional and major airlines, including Northwest Airlines, FedEx, Virgin Express and Aeromexico, have ordered T2CAS units.