BAE 's VGS System Proving Popular with Buyers of Gulfstream Aircraft

BAE Systems Avionics Group has brought its Visual Guidance System (VGS) commercial head-up display to the convention, set up in a cockpit simulator you can "fly" at Booth 2556. The British company has already delivered 184 VGS units to Gulfstream for fitting by prime contractor Honeywell to GIV-SPs and G-Vs.

"The equipment is selling to our product forecasts," reports Tom Rogers, BAE's VGS project manager. "BAE Systems has delivered more than 12,000 military HUDS and is now steadily increasing production rates to fulfil its developing (civilian) customer base.

"We are also offering a certified solution for the Bombardier Global Express, with first deliveries commencing in 2001. The product meets the latest human factors requirements, with development and certification flying on Global Express commencing shortly."

As well as to the larger corporate jets, the VGS is also being sold to Boeing 737-800 airliner operators. It is already operational in 32 of American Airlines' fleet of Next Generation 737s, with a total of 50 delivered to date out of a total of 129 ordered by AA. Sun Country Airlines has ordered eight VGS units, plus six options, for its 737-800s. BAE says its VGS will also fit the majority of current production airliners.

The HUD is made up of two elements: the overhead unit supplied by BAE Rochester, England and the Display Guidance Computer supplied by Honeywell Aerospace Electronic Systems, Phoenix, AZ. Honeywell is prime contractor for the HUD on Gulfstreams models and provides a spares and exchange service for its customer support bases throughout the world.

BAE claims that the VGS provides crews with improved situational awareness and operating minima. The VGS allows pilots to monitor primary flight and power management information in their forward field of view, thus reducing the need to transition to panel displays, then scan the instruments, before returning to view the image outside the cockpit. The VGS can also display information from TCAS, EGPWS, DGPS and windshear detection systems. It allows current take-off minima to be reduced by 50 percent, according to the company.

BAE Systems is working closely with its partners to develop its Enhanced Visual Guidance System (EVGS), which combines the existing system with forward-looking infrared sensors.

In addition to the VGS simulator, the BAE Systems booth at NBAA has on show a wide range of civil products, including fly-by-wire primary flight controls, active control columns/throttles and passenger communications systems.

By Mike Vines