Rockwell Collins announces contracts at Paris Air Show

Several contracts for avionics equipment were announced Tuesday by Rockwell Collins at the annual Paris Air Show.

Bristow Group, which provides helicopter transport services for offshore oil and gas and government operations, is retrofitting a fleet of 44 helicopters with Rockwell Collins' traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS). Installations have begun on Sikorsky S-76 C++ and Sikorsky S-92A aircraft with 24 TCAS retrofits completed.

Within the next year Rockwell Collins will install its next-generation TTR-4100 TCAS on 20 Bristow helicopters.

Cedar Rapids-based Rockwell Collins was the first avionics company to retrofit and certify TCAS II for helicopters. The system is certified for industry-standard "unknown vibration levels," meaning it can be installed on any helicopter platform.

Greg Irmen, vice president and general manager, business and regional systems for Rockwell Collins, said a TCAS system that can withstand the vibrations involved with helicopters is required for Bristow's aircraft to operate safely in areas like the North Sea.

China-based Xiamen Airlines has selected a package of Rockwell Collins' avionics systems, including its head-up guidance system, multi-scan threat detection system, GLU-925 multi-mode receiver and SATCOM for 12 new Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2014.

China Southern Airlines has chosen several avionics systems for 66 new aircraft, including Airbus A320s, Boeing 777s and Boeing Next-Generation 737s. Deliveries will begin later this year.