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A350-1000 Takes the Lead in Autonomous Flying

The Airbus A350-1000 jet aircraft. widebody airliner that has successfully completed a series of test flights demonstrating its capability to perform fully autonomous taxiing, takeoffs, and landings. (Photo: Aibus)

Global Avionics Round-Up from Aircraft Value News (AVN)

The increasing prevalence of autonomous aviation aligns with broader technological advancements within avionics. The A350-1000 is a test case.

The Airbus A350-1000 jet aircraft. widebody airliner that has successfully completed a series of test flights demonstrating its capability to perform fully autonomous taxiing, takeoffs, and landings. (Photo: Aibus)

The Airbus A350-1000 jet aircraft widebody airliner that has successfully completed a series of test flights demonstrating its capability to perform fully autonomous taxiing, takeoffs, and landings. (Photo: Airbus)

Autonomous aircraft are rapidly emerging as one of the biggest game-changing trends in aviation, poised to reshape the industry well into 2025 and beyond. Innovations in autonomous flight technology have made remarkable strides, particularly in enhancing cockpit automation, setting the stage for a future where fully self-piloted planes could become a reality.

A key player in this revolution is the Airbus A350-1000, a widebody airliner that has garnered attention for its groundbreaking achievements. In recent months, the A350-1000 successfully completed a series of test flights, demonstrating its capability to perform fully autonomous taxiing, takeoffs, and landings.

These developments underscore the potential of autonomous systems to redefine how commercial aircraft operate, offering improved efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness. 

The growing trend of autonomous aviation aligns with broader technological advancements, such as AI and machine learning, which are making aircraft avionics smarter and more responsive.

As Airbus continues to test and refine these capabilities, the A350-1000 stands at the forefront of this shift, highlighting the industry’s push towards a future where pilots may serve more as overseers than active controllers.

The A350-1000 is a wide-body, long-haul aircraft that represents one of Airbus’s most advanced and efficient jets in its A350 XWB (Extra Wide Body) family. It was designed to offer improved fuel efficiency, enhanced aerodynamics, and greater passenger comfort compared to its predecessors, with a seating capacity of about 350-410 passengers, depending on the configuration.

The A350-1000’s range of up to 8,700 nautical miles allows it to serve ultra-long-haul routes, making it popular with airlines looking to operate high-capacity flights on lengthy international trips.

Airbus chose the A350-1000 as the platform to lead its autonomous development initiatives for several reasons.

The A350-1000 is one of the most advanced aircraft in terms of avionics and systems integration. It features cutting-edge fly-by-wire technology, which allows greater computer control over the flight systems. This makes it a natural choice for pushing into the realm of autonomy, where reliable, advanced avionics systems are essential.

The A350-1000’s architecture is designed to integrate new technologies, including autonomous systems. Airbus’s approach to avionics and aircraft control systems on this model allows for software updates and modifications, making it easier to add new capabilities like autonomous flight control over time.

Autonomous flying requires advanced sensors, data processing units, and machine learning algorithms to manage tasks like taxiing, takeoff, cruising, and landing without human intervention. The A350-1000 is equipped with sophisticated sensors, radar systems, and AI-driven avionics, making it capable of integrating these developments.

The A350-1000’s systems feature multiple layers of redundancy, meaning that critical systems are duplicated to ensure continued operation in the event of a failure. This robustness is crucial for the progression toward full autonomy, as safety is the primary regulatory hurdle.

Airbus has already begun using the A350-1000 for autonomous taxiing, takeoff, and landing trials. These recent Autonomous Taxi, Takeoff, and Landing (ATTOL) tests have shown that the A350-1000 can execute such maneuvers without pilot input, relying on sensor fusion, computer vision, and AI systems to handle the process.

As part of the broader ecosystem for autonomy, Airbus is working on advanced air traffic management systems. The A350-1000’s communication systems will be pivotal in helping autonomous aircraft interact with other planes and ground-based systems, ensuring safe and efficient operation in increasingly crowded skies.

By using the A350-1000 as a testbed, Airbus is positioning this aircraft to serve as a blueprint for autonomous capabilities across its future models. Lessons learned from the A350-1000’s autonomous trials will likely trickle down to other aircraft, including narrow-body and regional jets.

This article also appears in the October 7 issue of our partner publication Aircraft Value News.

John Persinos is the editor-in-chief of Aircraft Value News. You can reach John at: jpersinos@accessintel.com

The post A350-1000 Takes the Lead in Autonomous Flying appeared first on Avionics International.

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L3Harris and Northrop Grumman Moving Ahead on F-16 Electronic Warfare Suites – Sept. 19

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 8th Fighter Wing, at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, flies over the Korean Peninsula, on April 4th last year (U.S. Air Force Photo)

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—L3Harris Technologies said that its site in Clifton, N.J., several weeks ago began the build of 166 AN/ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield all-digital electronic warfare (EW) suites for F-16 fighters in six countries under a total Viper Shield backlog of $1 billion.

During the Air and Space Forces Association’s annual Air, Space and Cyber conference here, Jennifer Lewis, the head of L3Harris’ airborne combat systems business, told reporters that L3Harris is in talks with other countries to address what it believes is an additional $1.5 billion in demand.

The Viper Shield’s small 3U form factor enables installation of the system on multiple F-16 configurations–either within the aircraft or on an external pod, the company said.

“This flexible approach uses software-defined technology to enhance the offensive and defensive capabilities of F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft,” according to L3Harris. “By design, Viper Shield is engineered to allow for future capability upgrades, ensuring it can counter evolving threats.”

While U.S. post-9/11 military involvements have taken advantage of U.S. air dominance and EW was a lower priority, “I believe that is changing with what we’re seeing in the current conflicts and even what you’re hearing from the government,” Lewis said. “Electronic warfare really is a cross-cutting enabler across all the [Air Force] operational imperatives.”

For U.S. F-16s, the Air Force in March 2022 chose Northrop Grumman’s ultra-wideband architecture AN/ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS), but L3Harris has said that it believes Viper Shield could one day go on U.S. F-16s.

Northrop Grumman said that IVEWS recently finished Air Force testing in the service’s Joint Preflight Integration of Munitions and Electronic Sensors (J-PRIMES) facility at Eglin AFB, Fla.

“During a series of rigorous tests, AN/ALQ-257 IVEWS was subjected to accurate representations of complex radio frequency spectrum threats in the J-PRIMES anechoic chamber,” Northrop Grumman said. “The system demonstrated the ability to detect, identify and counter advanced radio frequency threats while operating safely with other F-16 systems. The successful completion of this regimen allows AN/ALQ-257 IVEWS to begin flight testing on Air Force F-16 aircraft.”

In a conference interview, James Conroy, the vice president of Northrop Grumman’s electronic warfare and targeting business, said that IVEWS “was designed, from the ground up, with advanced threats in mind.”

“We know the RF [radio frequency] threats are changing,” he said. “We know how they’ve been evolving over time. They’ve moved where they are in the frequency. They’ve gone higher and lower in frequency. This system was designed to cover that whole bandwidth so you’re not gonna have them running away from you and hiding in a different part of the frequency…We can stare over a large portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.”

The post L3Harris and Northrop Grumman Moving Ahead on F-16 Electronic Warfare Suites – Sept. 19 appeared first on Avionics International.

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RTX’s Pratt & Whitney Receives $1.3 Billion F135 Engine Core Upgrade Contract – Oct. 1

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Jason Rueschhoff, 56th Fighter Wing commander, boards an F-35A Lightning II for his final flight on June 14th at Luke AFB, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

RTX‘s Pratt & Whitney has received a more than $1.3 billion cost plus incentive fee contract for the F135 Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) for the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter, DoD said on Monday.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Jason Rueschhoff, 56th Fighter Wing commander, boards an F-35A Lightning II for his final flight on June 14th at Luke AFB, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Jason Rueschhoff, 56th Fighter Wing commander, boards an F-35A Lightning II for his final flight on June 14th at Luke AFB, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

The contract includes design, analysis, rig testing, engine test preparation, developmental hardware, test asset assembly, air system integration, airworthiness evaluation, and product support planning to mature ECU, the Pentagon said.

In July, Pratt & Whitney said that it had finished preliminary design review on ECU.

Jill Albertelli, president of Pratt & Whitney’s military engines business, said on Monday that the contract is “critical” to allow continued work in the ECU risk reduction phase “with a fully staffed team focused on design maturation, aircraft integration, and mobilizing the supply base to prepare for production.”

In March last year, the Air Force said that it had decided to move forward on ECU for the F-35 and end the service’s Advanced Engine Transition Program (AETP).

As part of AETP, General Electric had proposed its XA100 Tri-Variant Adaptive (TVA) engine to accommodate the envisioned Block 4 weapons and other upgrades for the Lockheed Martin F-35.

A version of this story originally appeared in affiliate publication Defense Daily.

The post RTX’s Pratt & Whitney Receives $1.3 Billion F135 Engine Core Upgrade Contract – Oct. 1 appeared first on Avionics International.

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Northrop Grumman Demonstrates MQ-4C Navigation In Arctic Circle – Sept. 20

An MQ-4C named B8, the first production MQ-4C Triton upgraded to the IFC-4 configuration flies over California. It was delivered to the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. on Feb. 1, 2022. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)

Northrop Grumman on Thursday announced it demonstrated the ability of a navigation system used by a MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial vehicle to operate at high latitudes within the Arctic Circle.

An MQ-4C named B8, the first production MQ-4C Triton upgraded to the IFC-4 configuration flies over California. It was delivered to the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. on Feb. 1, 2022. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)

An MQ-4C named B8, the first production MQ-4C Triton upgraded to the IFC-4 configuration flies over California. It was delivered to the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. on Feb. 1, 2022. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)

The company told sister publication Defense Daily this demonstration test flight used a company-owned manned aircraft with a mounted Triton navigation system. It started in Deadhorse, Alaska and flew within 100 miles of the North Pole. 

The navigation system included the mission management computer and upgraded operational flight programs to demonstrate the Triton’s ability to navigate that far north.

The aircraft collected data over a five-hour flight, remaining in U.S. and Canadian airspace.

The company said this demonstration also validated ground-based GPS alignment and initialization procedures to allow operations from runways above 70 degrees north latitude.

Northrop Grumman also told Defense Daily this demonstration validated the hardware and software capability that currently exists on the MQ-4C.

Northrop Grumman argued this delivers on its commitment to provide intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting capabilities in the High North, operating in the austere environment of the Arctic Circle. 

The Triton itself is able to operate at altitudes over 50,000 feet for over 24 hours at a time. The company noted this means it can operate above harsh Arctic winds and avoid the speed and range impacts that limit performance at more medium altitudes in the 10,000-30,000 feet range.

This came after similar demonstrations over the Gulf of Alaska in summer 2023, including testing the Triton radar during the Northern Edge 2023 exercise.

The U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force operate the MQ-4Cs.

A version of this story originally appeared in affiliate publication Defense Daily.

The post Northrop Grumman Demonstrates MQ-4C Navigation In Arctic Circle – Sept. 20 appeared first on Avionics International.

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Demand Accelerates for Virtual Reality Training in Avionics

Global Avionics Round-Up from Aircraft Value News (AVN)

VR training is emerging as a critical trend in avionics, promising to revolutionize how pilots, engineers, and maintenance crews are trained.

Rapid advancements in virtual reality (VR) are transcending gaming and entertainment, finding a pivotal role in industries like health care, engineering, and now aviation.

VR training is emerging as a critical trend in avionics, promising to revolutionize how pilots, engineers, and maintenance crews are trained. VR is transforming aviation training by offering immersive, realistic environments for skill development while reducing costs and improving safety.

The complexity of modern aircraft systems and the demand for highly skilled aviation professionals make VR an ideal training solution. VR’s ability to simulate real-world scenarios in a controlled environment allows pilots and technicians to engage in highly realistic exercises.

Trainees can experience flight dynamics, system malfunctions, and emergency procedures without risking equipment or lives. The technology also enables repetitive practice, which is crucial for mastering complicated procedures, all while saving time compared to traditional simulators or on-the-job training.

Several key players in recent months have been driving the adoption of VR in aviation, particularly in avionics:

CAE. A global leader in aviation training, CAE has integrated VR into its pilot training programs. The company’s VR-based solutions provide immersive cockpit environments for pilots, enhancing traditional training with virtual scenarios that mimic real-life conditions.

Thales Group. Thales has made significant strides so far this year in VR training for aviation. The company’s platforms combine augmented reality (AR) and VR, creating scenarios for both pilot and maintenance training. Thales’ immersive AR/VR tools allow trainees to troubleshoot avionics systems and practice routine inspections, enhancing their decision-making and technical skills.

Boeing. The U.S.-based aerospace giant is investing heavily in VR for its own aircraft systems and has developed virtual training modules for pilots and engineers. Boeing’s VR solutions focus on operational and procedural training, including emergency protocols and maintenance tasks, providing an efficient and scalable solution for airline operators. As the company grapples with its continuing regulatory woes, it has been beefing up inspection and safety procedures in recent months through an increasing reliance on VR.

Airbus. Archrival to Boeing, the European-based Airbus recently introduced its VR Flight Trainer, which allows pilots to simulate and interact with advanced avionics systems, particularly for the A350 and A320neo families.

A320neo aircraft are particularly leveraging the VR Flight Trainer, which is just one of many factors lifting the aircraft’s base values and lease rates.

Airbus’ emphasis on virtual training reflects the growing demand for digital tools that can keep up with the complexity of modern aviation technology.

So far in 2024, several VR training programs have emerged as benchmarks in the aviation industry:

Project CAVOK by CAE. This project integrates AR and VR for pilot and technician training, combining immersive environments with real-world aircraft components. CAVOK aims to address the shortage of pilots globally by providing high-quality, scalable training.

Thales’ Maintenance VR Suite. Thales has expanded its VR suite to focus on avionics maintenance, enabling technicians to work on virtual replicas of critical aircraft components. The platform includes AI-based learning modules that adjust training difficulty based on user performance, offering personalized learning experiences.

Airbus VR Maintenance Trainer. Airbus’ program, launched in late 2023, offers a fully immersive maintenance trainer that simulates various systems within their A350 and A320neo families. This allows engineers to practice complex repairs and upgrades in a virtual environment before working on actual aircraft.

As aviation technology becomes more advanced, the need for specialized training solutions grows. VR (as well as AR) offer several benefits that make it an indispensable tool in avionics training for 2024 and beyond, notably cost efficiency, safety and risk management, and scalability for the growing workforce.

This article also appears in the October 7 issue of our partner publication Aircraft Value News.

John Persinos is the editor-in-chief of Aircraft Value News. You can reach John at: jpersinos@accessintel.com

The post Demand Accelerates for Virtual Reality Training in Avionics appeared first on Avionics International.

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The Nexus of Avionics, Artificial Intelligence, and Aircraft Values

Global Avionics Round-Up from Aircraft Value News (AVN)

As AI systems enhance the operational performance of aircraft, demand for such planes is surging, driving up base values and lease rates.

The global avionics market is on track for major multiyear growth. What’s more, artificial intelligence (AI)-infused avionics upgrades already are influencing aircraft base values and lease rates.

According to new research released in September 2024 by Fortune Business Insights, the global avionics market size was valued at USD 91.32 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 99.33 billion in 2024 to USD 179.44 billion by 2032, for a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.67% during the forecast period. North America dominated the avionics market in 2023 with a market share of 37.25% (see chart).

The avionics market’s growth is driven by technological advancements, as well as increasing revenue opportunities in international routes. Moreover, the rising procurement of next-generation military aircraft, both for transport and combat operations, is further accelerating market expansion during the forecast period. Innovations in military aviation typically spill over into the civilian sector, making commercial and defense aerospace two sides of the same coin.

Many avionics advancements in commercial aircraft got their start through military research and development. Global military budgets are ballooning, fueled during the past two years by increasing superpower rivalry and the Russia-Ukraine war. The U.S. spends by far more on defense than any other country. Avionics capabilities are expanding in tandem with these expenditures.

The avionics market is divided into two primary categories: hardware and software. In 2023 and so far into 2024, hardware has maintained a leading market share due to its multitasking capabilities, such as trajectory prediction and route guidance. Many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have introduced new high-performance hardware solutions for both commercial and military aviation.

However, the software segment is projected to experience the highest CAGR in the coming years. This surge is driven by the increasing integration of software in avionics to enhance flight operations. Many OEMs are forming partnerships and joint ventures to develop the most advanced avionics software solutions.

The AI revolution… 

A megatrend reshaping avionics is the integration of AI. Avionics systems powered by AI are revolutionizing the way aircraft are flown, introducing unprecedented levels of automation, decision-making, and predictive capabilities.

According to Precedence Research, the global AI in aviation market size was estimated at USD 653.74 million in 2021 and it is expected to surpass around USD 9.98 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 35.38% from 2022 to 2030 (see chart).

Recent developments in avionics and information technology have greatly minimized the need for manual inputs and actions by pilots, particularly for routine tasks. Pilots now spend more time overseeing, managing, and programming control panels within the cockpit, rather than focusing on the traditional hands-on flying of the aircraft.

AI-infused avionics are poised to further streamline operations, improve safety, and optimize fuel efficiency. Leading-edge avionics can help reduce fuel burn, which in turn reduces carbon emissions and helps aircraft meet new and stringent “green” regulations.

As AI systems enhance the operational performance of aircraft, demand for such planes is surging, driving up base values and leasing prices.

Conversely, older aircraft lacking these capabilities may see depreciation, pushing down their value in the secondary market. This trend is likely to redefine the competitive landscape in aviation, positioning AI-enabled aircraft as the future standard for both commercial and military aviation.

This article also appears in the October 7 issue of our partner publication Aircraft Value News.

Editor’s Note: To watch a video presentation on this avionics-related topic, visit https://www.aircraftvaluenews.com/video/

The post The Nexus of Avionics, Artificial Intelligence, and Aircraft Values appeared first on Avionics International.

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