GE Aviation believes its acquisition of Naverus will give it broader scope to market performance-based navigation capabilities to airlines and other users.

The purchase was closed yesterday, although no price details were released. A spokeswoman for GE said the price did not meet the threshold that would require disclosure. Branding details--including whether the name Naverus will remain--are yet to be determined. Naverus executives will stay with the company.

Naverus is a privately owned company that is best known for developing required navigation performance (RNP) procedures for airlines, such as Southwest, and for airports and air navigation service providers. GE has worked with Naverus on RNP projects for many years because GE provides the flight management systems used by many airlines. For example, GE recently upgraded the FMS and displays in the Southwest fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft.

The GE spokeswoman said the two companies will be able to jointly market their offerings, since RNP requires the use of an FMS. Existing Naverus contracts--such as the Southwest deal--will be unaffected.

The acquisition of Naverus moves GE further into the air traffic management realm, the company said. The deal "brings some of the best PBN technology to GE Aviation's Systems business," and will help GE deliver "solutions that help our customers operate aircraft more efficiently, with reduced environmental impact," said Lorraine Bolsinger, CEO of GE Aviation Systems. Naverus CEO Steve Forte, meanwhile, said, "The strength of GE provides a platform for future innovation and growth."