Avionics
CMC Electronics buys L-3 SmartDeck cockpit
Montreal-based Esterline CMC Electronics has acquired an exclusive technology license for L-3 Communications’ SmartDeck cockpit that will allow the firm to

Montreal-based Esterline CMC Electronics has acquired an exclusive technology license for L-3 Communications’ SmartDeck cockpit that will allow the firm to develop, build and market its own integrated flight deck products using L-3 technologies.

CMC Electronics president Greg Yeldon said the agreement with L-3 Avionics Systems to further develop, manufacture and sell the Part 23 SmartDeck glass cockpit technology–which has flown in a Cirrus SR22 and was originally slated for the flight deck of the Cirrus Vision very light jet–is of “strategic importance” to his company. CMC is investing nearly $150 million in research and development for a new integrated avionics suite called FronTier. Canada’s Innovation & Technology Office is kicking in another $52.3 million over the five-year R&D period to bring the cockpit suite to market.