Avionics
Collins’ multiscan radar coming to business jets
More than 100 airlines have selected Rockwell Collins’ multiscan airborne weather radar, billed as the first such system to offer fully automated, “hands-f

More than 100 airlines have selected Rockwell Collins’ multiscan airborne weather radar, billed as the first such system to offer fully automated, “hands-free” scanning capability out to a range of 320 nm. Soon, business jet crews will get the chance to fly with the technology, too.

Collins introduced the RTA-4100 multiscan radar at the NBAA Convention in September, announcing the system will be available for installation in business airplanes by this time next year. The technology is intended to provide a better overall view of storms that is free of ground clutter by using two radar beams aimed at slightly different angles. The automated technique paints a more or less 3-D picture of relevant storms without the crew having to make any manual tilt or gain adjustments.