Honeywell to Supply 3-D Weather Radar to Airbus; System Provides Vital Information to Help Pilots Avoid Turbulence
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IntuVue(TM), Honeywell's Weather Hazard Detection System, is only system on the market to provide 3-D capability to help pilots to avoid weather-related turbulence and delays
PHOENIX, AZ, Sept. 30, 2008 - Honeywell announced today Airbus has selected Honeywell's IntuVue 3-D Advanced Weather Radar on A320s, A330s and A340s, a contract valued at $300 million, including aftermarket, over the life of the program. Honeywell's IntuVue offers flight crews the ability to detect and avoid previously unforeseen turbulence, wind shears and dangerous storm activity so they can make more informed route decisions - thereby increasing passenger comfort and safety while decreasing weather-related costs due to injuries and aircraft damages.
Honeywell's IntuVue weather radar is already standard equipment on Airbus A380 and A350 as part of the ground-breaking Aircraft Environment Surveillance System. Deliveries are planned to start with the single aisle A320 family (A318, 319. A320, and A321) in the first quarter of 2010 with the long range A330s and A340s, including freighters, shortly thereafter.
"Weather related delays and damage cost the industry over $4 billion each year," said Garrett Mikita, Honeywell's Air Transport and Regional President. "With Honeywell's IntuVue weather radar as standard equipment on Airbus aircraft, it can significantly reduce operating costs while making air travel more comfortable and secure. Operators using IntuVue weather radar are experiencing 50% fewer turbulence-related incidents compared to aircraft equipped with conventional radars."
Specific turbulence related injuries cost the airline industry more than $100 million per year. An aircraft that encounters unexpected severe turbulence averages a loss of approximately $150,000 to the airline. Honeywell's 3-D hazard detection and avoidance system, IntuVue, is the latest in advanced weather radar technology that enables pilots to see and avoid turbulence sooner to improve passenger safety and reduce operating costs for airlines.
IntuVue is the first fully automatic weather radar system certified to the FAA's Enhanced Turbulence Detection Minimum Operation Performance Standard (MOPS) that enables pilots to see and avoid turbulence sooner. It is the only commercial radar that utilizes pulse compression for greater accuracy at longer range - a technology used previously only in military radars. This technology enables improved in-flight decisions by providing weather analysis tools for viewing storms in three-dimensions at up to 320 nautical miles ahead of the aircraft, which allows optimum re-routing around or through weather resulting in an 11% reduction in fuel burn. IntuVue's slim design and high reliability reduce operating costs by 53%, reduces weight by 25% and reduces maintenance cost by 30% as compared to other commercially available products, enabling airlines to reduce overall operating costs.
Honeywell's IntuVue is operating as standard equipment on the Airbus A380 and the military C-17, and is specified as standard equipment on the Gulfstream 650 and Airbus A350 when they enter service. It is also certified and flying on the Boeing 777 and 737NG.
Honeywell International is a $38 billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London and Chicago Stock Exchanges.
For additional information, please visit www.honeywell.com.
Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Honeywell's aerospace business is a leading global provider of integrated avionics, engines, systems and service solutions for aircraft manufacturers, airlines, business and general aviation, military, space and airport operations.
Media Contacts:
Karen Crabtree
602.365.5255
karen.crabtree@honeywell.com
