Contract Award: Ultra Avionics to provide satellite-based navigation and flight management systems for Canadian Air Creebec

News Report

As announced in a recent press release, Canada’s Air Creebec has entered into an agreement with Authorized Dealer Mid-Canada Mod Center to fit its entire Bombardier Q-Series (Dash 8) fleet with Universal Avionic's Wide Area Augmentation System/Satellite-Based Augmentation System Flight Management Systems (WAAS/SBAS-FMS) and Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (TAWS). They are the latest Canadian regional to begin this conversion.

Air Creebec selected Universal Avionics’ UNS-1Lw WAAS/SBAS-FMS, with a 4-inch Flat Panel Control Display Unit and a remotely mounted navigation computer. The navigation computer is contained in a 2-MCU sized Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) which includes the integral GPS/SBAS receiver. Air Creebec will gain access to all Area Navigation (RNAV) approach types as well as the additional accuracy of WAAS correction for other on-board systems. Universal Class A TAWS will be installed concurrently, with its unique look-ahead function and three views of terrain, with man-made obstacles alerting.

The Technology

The Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) or Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) is an air navigational aid developed by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to augment the Global Positioning System (GPS), with the goal of improving its accuracy, integrity and availability. Essentially, WAAS/SBAS is intended to enable aircraft to rely on GPS for all phases of flight, including precision approaches, to any airport within its coverage area.

As part of the NextGen National Airspace System improvement plan, the FAA is focused on reducing the industry’s dependence on older ground based navaids such as ILS, and increasing the use of GPS navigation. Because of its ability to alleviate airspace congestion, save fuel and improve safety, SBAS technology is being applied worldwide.

Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (TAWS) were developed to provide a warning of a possible terrain conflict in case of poor visual conditions, cockpit distraction, malfunctioning equipment, ATC error or pilot/controller miscommunication. The purpose of a TAWS is to provide a warning with enough time for the flight crew to take appropriate action.

The TAWS computer receives position information from a GPS receiver, and compares that position with the internal terrain or obstacle database. The TAWS computer also receives aircraft configuration and air-data information to then create a 4-D position of latitude, longitude, altitude and time. It then compares this position with the on-board database of terrain, obstacles and runways to determine any conflicts. If the TAWS computer detects a possible conflict between the future flight path of the aircraft and terrain, visual and audible warnings are given to the pilot.

Comments

“We’re cautiously optimistic that we will eventually have Universal’s WAAS/SBAS-FMS in every Q-Series/ Dash 8 operating in Canada,” said Norm Matheis, Universal’s Regional Manager for Canada. “There’s a compelling case that investments in these technologies can drive overall operational efficiencies over the life of the aircraft,” he added.

“The flight operational demands into Canada’s remote regions are unique unto themselves and provide some interesting challenges” said Bill Arsenault, Vice President of Mid-Canada Mod Center. “We have worked with several of these service providers in conjunction with Universal Avionics to integrate modern nav aids into the current fleets – in particular the Dash 8 family of aircraft – that take full advantage of WAAS/SBAS capabilities. These systems bring enhanced safety and operations consistency to these operators who are providing an invaluable lifeline to the communities they service. Air Creebec has been a leader in developing and supporting such routes. We have had the pleasure of supporting their operations for many years through both Mid-Canada Mod Center and our other shop, Kitchener Aero. Their focus on safety and reliability in service sets them apart as leaders in Canada and we are pleased to have been asked to yet again lend them support in achieving their goals.”

References: Universal Avionics (1,3), Gulfstream.com (2), AEA Pilot's Guide (3)

Contract Award: Rockwell Collins to provide 20.000 Advanced GPS Receivers for U.S. Armed Services and Allies

News Report

As announced in a recent press release, Rockwell Collins has been awarded with a $46 million order for providing Defense Advanced GPS Receivers (DAGRs) for use by the U.S. Armed Services and Allies.

The System

The portable Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) is a small handheld GPS receiver developed to support military combat operations and civil operations other than war. The DAGR is a self-contained, handheld, 12-channel, dual-frequency continuously tracking GPS receiver. It uses state-of-the art GPS receiver technology including "All In View" satellite tracking and the Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module to access the Precise Positioning Service signal for highly accurate Position, Navigation and Timing information, 24-hours a day under all weather conditions.

DAGR is designed to meet diverse requirements as both a handheld GPS receiver for ground-mobile and airborne troops and an integrated component of tactical vehicles and weapon systems. DAGR utilizes standardized interfaces to provide PNT information to a wide variety of vehicles and host systems including integrated configurations for position, location, target location, rendezvous and en-route terminal navigation.

The Context

DAGR is a follow on to the Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver. DAGR is lightweight, provides enhanced accuracy, anti-spoofing and anti-jam protection well above that available on commercial GPS receivers and is backwards compatible with the predecessor military handheld GPS receiver PLGR. The initial production contract was awarded to Rockwell Collins in November 2002.

Rockwell Collins has delivered more than 400,000 DAGRs to U.S. and international customers since it was introduced in 2004. The DAGR is primarily used by the U.S. Army and is the handheld military GPS receiver of choice for position, navigation and situational awareness for soldiers and other system installation needs.

References: Rockwell Collins (1,2), Los Angeles Air Force Base (3)

European Union allocates 7 B€ for completing its satellite navigation infrastructure

News Report

As reported by AvioNews and other news sources, the European Commission has recently proposed the new framework for the financing and governance of the two European satellite navigation programmes, i.e. Galileo and EGNOS, for the period 2014-2020. The Commission proposes to earmark €7.0 billions to guarantee the completion of the EU satellite navigation infrastructure and to ensure the exploitation of the systems until 2020, such as the operations of the space and terrestrial infrastructures, the necessary replenishment/replacement activities, certification procedures, and notably the provision of services.

The proposal also recalls that the Union remains the owner of the systems. Therefore the management of the programmes' exploitation should be delegated to the European GNSS Agency while management of the programmes' deployment should be delegated to the European Space Agency.

The Programme (Galileo)

Galileo is Europe’s own global navigation satellite system, providing a highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning service under civilian control. It is inter-operable with GPS and Glonass, the two other global satellite navigation systems. The origins of the programme were in an agreement between the European Union and the European Space Agency (ESA) to equip Europe with a satellite navigation system independent of the U.S. GPS system, which would be able to meet the needs of a large number of sectors, from transport (air, rail, road, sea) and telecommunications to homeland security.

The fully deployed Galileo system consists of 30 satellites (27 operational + 3 active spares), positioned in three circular Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) planes at 23 222 km altitude above the Earth, and at an inclination of the orbital planes of 56 degrees to the equator.

On October 2011 came the first two of four operational satellites designed to validate the Galileo concept in both space and on Earth. Two more will follow in 2012. Once this In-Orbit Validation (IOV) phase has been completed, additional satellites will be launched to reach Initial Operational Capability (IOC) around mid-decade. A range of services will be extended as the system is built up from IOC to reach the Full Operational Capability (FOC) by this decade’s end.

By offering dual frequencies as standard, Galileo will deliver real-time positioning accuracy down to the metre range. It will guarantee availability of the service under all but the most extreme circumstances and will inform users within seconds of any satellite failure, making it suitable for safety-critical applications such as guiding cars, running trains and landing aircraft.

Among all the different services that will be provided by Galileo, one particular interesting is the support to civil protection and surveillance applications. In disaster situations, transport and communications infrastructures may become unavailable. However, relief operations need to rely on precise information as regards the location of rescue teams, as well as topography or hazard maps. The high reliability of Galileo even in difficult conditions is of particular interest for civil protection. Combined with the European initiative GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security), it can be used to track fire brigades engaged in forest fires, or to optimise rescue team vehicles deployment. The European Commission will seek to raise awareness and coordinate Member States in their activities in this field.

The Galileo global navigation satellite programme will also be of utmost importance for security-related missions, in particular through its Public Regulated Service (PRS). Indeed, this navigation service will be set up for better management of critical transport and emergency services, better law enforcement (police), improved internal security (border control) and safer peace-keeping missions.

The Programme (EGNOS)

The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) is Europe's first venture into satellite navigation. It was developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) under a tripartite agreement between the European Commission (EC), the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) and ESA. Several air traffic service providers are supporting the development programme with their own investments. In April 2009, the ownership of the EGNOS assets have been transferred from the European Space Agency to the European Commission which now manages and finances the entry of EGNOS into the Service Provision phase

EGNOS is the European Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) that complements the GPS system. It disseminates, on the GPS L1 frequency, integrity signals in real-time, providing information on the health of the GPS constellation. In addition, correction data improves the accuracy of the current GPS services from about 10 m to about 2 m. The EGNOS Service Area includes all European states and has the system-inherent capability to be extended to other regions, such as EU neighbouring countries, North Africa and more generally regions within the coverage of three geostationary satellites being used to transmit the EGNOS signal

Comments

Vice President Antonio Tajani, responsible for industry and entrepreneurship said: “A lot has been achieved by both Galileo and EGNOS. Looking to the bright future ahead the key message of financial stability for these flagship programmes is of paramount importance so that European industry and citizens can reap all their benefits. Both Galileo and EGNOS are strongly contributing to our industrial competiveness and innovation in key sectors with great economic potential. The increase of our know-how satellite navigation technology and service will significantly support European industry in these difficult times.”

References: AvioNews (1), ESA (2), European Commission (3), ESSP (4)