Rockwell Collins (Booth 228) is continuing to expand its Pro Line Fusion flight deck aftermarket applications with plans to certify the avionics suite next on the Cessna Citation CJ1+ and CJ2+.

Based on a similar platform certified in 2017 on the CJ3, the Fusion suite will replace Pro Line 21 avionics with three 14.1-inch wide-format displays and advanced NextGen capabilities such WAAS-LPV, said Craig Peterson, senior director of marketing for commercial solutions at Rockwell Collins, adding this will bring the aircraft into compliance with airspace modernization mandates.

The touchscreen displays include interactive maps with high-resolution topography, weather, and obstacles, along with georeferenced electronic charts displaying own-aircraft position. Rockwell Collins’ ChartLink is further added to the package.

In addition, the new suite will offer high-resolution synthetic vision, including Rockwell Collins’ airport dome feature and extended runway centerlines. The suite is designed for “future proofing” to accommodate new technologies, he added.

Working with Textron Aviation, Rockwell Collins plans to have the option available on the market in 2019—before the U.S. ADS-B mandate takes effect. But recognizing that this might be later in the year, Peterson said Rockwell Collins will work with customers to devise packages that reflect the costs operators might have already put into upgrading their aircraft to meet the Jan. 1, 2020 mandate.

Rockwell Collins has discussed the option with operators and the Citation Jet Pilots organization, Peterson said, adding the response in the upgrade has been positive and noting a potential market of 328 CJ1+ and CJ2+ jets in service.

The CJ1+ and CJ2+ programs will benefit from the certification work that Rockwell Collins has already completed on the CJ3, Peterson said, adding that is a big part of the risk reduction on the program. “There is a tremendous amount of architectural similarity and commonality,” he said. Currently, the upgrade has been installed on 30 CJ3s, with another 10 in line.

“The CJ3 Fusion upgrade has been very popular and we’ve received considerable feedback from CJ1+ and CJ2+ operators that they are eagerly waiting their turn,” said Christophe Blanc, vice president and general manager of business and regional systems for Rockwell Collins. “Treating the CJ1+, CJ2+, and CJ3 as one Pro Line Fusion product family allows us to pool our resources, ensuring continued strong investment and product support for years to come.”

Initial slots for installation will be available at Textron Aviation centers and eventually at all Rockwell Collins dealers.

This expands the growing number of platforms that either have Fusion as forward fit or in the aftermarket. Fusion is now available or in the works on a range of aircraft, from Beechraft King Air turboprops to ultra-long-range Bombardier Globals. One of the new programs still in the works is a retrofit on Bombardier Challenger 604s.

As Rockwell Collins continues to progress on its Fusion retrofit options, it also has readied accommodate the anticipated influx of ADS-B upgrades that will occur over the next year as operators line up to meet the FAA mandate. “ADS-B is going to be on everybody’s mind. The tempo and pace of engagements…is really picking up,” Peterson said.

The company last summer obtained ADS-B Out Part 25 approved model list supplemental type certificate (AML-STC) from the FAA, covering a range of jets, following similar approval earlier in the year for Part 23 aircraft. These approvals have continued to expand and cover more aircraft with recent additions covering the Bombardier Challengers 601 and 604, Learjet 60, Hawker Beehcraft 400 and Hawker 800, along with several other Citations and Gulfstreams, Peterson said, adding, “Pretty much now under our belt is just about every legacy platform that included a Rockwell Collins transponder.”