Phoenix, Arizona-based Honeywell Aerospace (Honeywell) has announced it is to acquire SaaB Technology's heads-up-display (HUD) assets. This will allow Honeywell to subsequently partner with SaaB Technology (SaaB) to develop and improve its HUD product offerings.
The benefit of a HUD is that it gives a pilot greater situational awareness, particularly at night-time and also in bad weather. With the addition of SaaB's HUD assets, Honeywell will be able to strengthen its already comprehensive end-to-end avionics and safety portfolio. The Saab HUD will be integrated into the American company's new, integrated flight deck which has an intuitive user interface and highly scalable design – the Honeywell Anthem. The deck will also include state-of-the art characteristics such as wide field-of-view, high-image resolution, low system latency and lower weight. It will also be made available for Honeywell Primus Epic flight decks and standalone retrofit solutions.
“Heads-up displays are an essential offering for the aviation industry and have been known to reduce pilot workload, increase situational awareness, improve access to airports with Enhanced Flight Vision System and enhance safety,” said Vipul Gupta, Vice President and General Manager, Avionics, Honeywell Aerospace. “The addition of HUDs as part of our wider avionics offerings will provide our customers in business aviation, air transport and defense segment a great safety tool that can be particularly useful during take-off and landing, which are typically the most crucial parts of any flight.”
“Saab believes that this agreement further establishes Saab and Honeywell as long-term partners and increases greater market opportunities,” said Carl-Johan Bergholm, SVP and Head of Saab´s business area Surveillance.” The main purpose of HUDs is to make it as easy as possible for pilots to see and absorb their necessary flight or mission details. This allows them to remain “head-up and eyes-out,” instead of looking down or away from what is occurring around them, thus reducing the risk of safety incidents. Also, as part of an Enhanced Flight Vision System, HUDs enable pilots to take off and land at lower minima and thus avoid go-arounds and diversions. The HUD solution will be available as a retrofit or forward-fit option.
