Contact: Michelle Stevenson
Marketing Manager
L-3 Avionics Systems
Michelle.Stevenson@L-3com.com
616-285-4239
L-3 Adds Synthetic Vision to SmartDeck®
New Features Improve Situational Awareness with 3-D Terrain and Obstacles
EAA, Oshkosh, Wis., July 28, 2008 - L-3 Avionics Systems announced today the addition of Synthetic
Vision to its SmartDeck Integrated Flight Controls and Display System, an integrated avionics suite with a
revolutionary, easy user interface. Synthetic Vision will be available as an option on new SmartDeck
systems or as an add-on for existing models after certification, which is expected later this year.
SmartDeck with Synthetic Vision is on display at Hangar C, Booth 3100.
“Synthetic Vision elevates SmartDeck’s sophistication to the next level,” said Adrienne Stevens, president
of L-3 Avionics Systems. “Even with zero visibility, the pilot has sharp graphics of the ground below right
on the display. It makes the cockpit even safer and more manageable, and it looks fantastic. We invite
pilots to fly SmartDeck and compare it to the other systems. When pilots fly it, they love it. The graphics
are unparalleled.”
L-3’s Synthetic Vision uses GPS location and altitude data in conjunction with SmartDeck’s terrain
database to depict realistic-looking, 3-D images of land, mountains, obstacles, water and runways on the
primary flight display (PFD). This image moves in real time with the aircraft, and presents a clear view of
the outside environment, which is especially beneficial during limited visibility conditions.
In addition to terrain and obstacles, SmartDeck’s PFD will now display airports and grid lines as part of
the 3-D environment as well as Class B Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) alerts. Distant
airports will be flagged with airport identifier signposts and grid lines will assist pilots in judging distances
within the 40-nautical-mile perceived sight range.
This upcoming version of SmartDeck will also include GPS Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance
(LPV). With the WAAS capabilities of the system, pilots can easily shoot LPV vertically guided instrument
approaches to more than 600 airports that are not equipped with instrument landing systems (ILS).
SmartDeck is a next-generation avionics suite created with a “three-clicks-or-less” design philosophy that
makes flying easier and puts important flight information in a readily accessible location. It integrates a
number of advanced situational awareness technologies, including L-3’s SkyWatch® collision avoidance
system, LandMark™ terrain awareness warning system (TAWS) and Stormscope® lightning detection
system, as well as communication, flight controls and engine parameters. These resources, combined
with the S-TEC IntelliFlight™ 1950 integrated Digital Flight Control System (DFCS), make SmartDeck a
standout system that packages all of the avionics a pilot desires into one integrated system. The
system’s intuitiveness builds pilot confidence and drives safety.
L-3 Avionics Systems has been helping pilots fly for more than 45 years and provides completely
integrated cockpit solutions. The company’s SmartDeck® Integrated Flight Controls and Display System
is a glass panel suite that features a revolutionary user interface designed to make flying safer, easier
and more enjoyable. In addition to customizing SmartDeck for upcoming aircraft programs, L-3 Avionics
continues to provide a wide array of avionics safety technologies, such as the GH-3000 electronic and
J.E.T.® standby instruments, SkyWatch® collision avoidance system and Stormscope® lightning detection
system, among others.
For more information, please visit the company’s Web site at www.L-3Avionics.com.
Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications employs over 64,000 people worldwide and is a
prime contractor in aircraft modernization and maintenance, C3ISR (Command, Control, Communications,
Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems and government services. L-3 is also a leading
provider of high technology products, subsystems and systems. The company reported 2007 sales of $14
billion.
To learn more about L-3, please visit the company’s Web site at www.L-3Com.com.
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