CUSTOMER SUCCESS STORY A world-class avionics solution for an aircraft with a unique mission

Primus Epic® CDS/R upgrade helps a 747SP reach for the stars

Overview NASA and DLR have a shared goal that SOFIA will NASA must deliver world-class scientific research and help scientists to better understand how stars and QUICK FACTS space exploration in times when significant economic planets are formed, how organic materials necessary and budgetary challenges mean that it must maximize for life evolve in space and how the black hole at the Honeywell solution Primus Epic® CDS/R the value of any expenditure. center of the Milky Way influences its surroundings. Product features By converting a Boeing 747SP, which first flew Another goal of SOFIA is to inspire the development l in 1977, to carry a 19 ton telescope, NASA’s of new scientific instrumentation and foster the A commercial off-the-shelf avionics solution The CDS/R integrates perfectly with other Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy education of young scientists and engineers. aircraft systems, assisting customers to (SOFIA), the world’s largest airborne astronomical SOFIA’s Boeing 747SP has a distinguished history. deliver a great, long-term and cost-effective observatory, was born. It was originally delivered to Pan solution NASA needed to equip the 30-year-old aircraft in 1977. The aircraft’s SP designation indicates the l The CDS/R flight deck upgrade provides with an avionics platform that would support several special performance, short-body version of the 747, immediate appearance, usability and mandate compliance benefits while thousand flights over the next 20 years. Honeywell’s designed for longer flights than the original 100 series simultaneously readying the flight deck and Primus Epic Control Display System Retrofit of the . aircraft for additional upgrades in the future (CDS/R) was selected as the avionics solution Although traditionally named its aircraft after for the aircraft. famous clipper ships, it gave this aircraft a special Why Honeywell? name – Clipper Lindbergh – in honor of the famous l The high Mean Time Between Failure Background (MTBF) and low acquisition costs help NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared aviator Charles Lindbergh. in reducing Life Cycle Costs (LCC) and Astronomy (SOFIA) is the world’s largest airborne Lindbergh’s widow, Ann Morrow Lindbergh, improving functionality, safety, and useful life astronomical observatory. personally christened the aircraft on the 50th of the SOFIA airframe. Honeywell’s global anniversary of Lindbergh’s history-making first solo reach and network ensures that SOFIA is A partnership between NASA and the German flight from New York to Paris in 1927. supported by world-class service Aerospace Center (DLR), SOFIA makes use of an and support extensively modified Boeing 747SP aircraft, carrying Bought by NASA in 1997 for its new role as a flying a reflecting telescope with an effective diameter of 2.5 astronomical observatory, Clipper Lindbergh was Customer meters. The German-built telescope weighs 19 tons eventually rededicated for its new mission in May l Name: NASA SOFIA and is mounted in the rear fuselage of the aircraft. 2007, by Lindbergh’s grandson Erik. l Location: Palmdale, California l Industry: Astronomy Based at Palmdale, California and flying at altitudes Business Need l of up to 45,000 feet, above 99.8 per cent of the More than 40 years after man last walked on the Website: www.nasa.gov water vapor in the atmosphere, SOFIA studies the Moon, NASA remains at the forefront of scientific universe at infrared wavelengths, enabling observations research and space exploration. SOFIA is one of unobtainable from even the largest and highest ground- many astrophysics missions under NASA’s Science based telescopes. Mission Directorate. “Honeywell’s CDS/R is a cost-effective solution that enabled NASA to replace the aircraft’s 30-year-old avionics with an advanced system that would meet airspace compliance and successfully prepare the aircraft for another 20 years of operation.” Bob Blaser, senior product manager for manned space systems, Honeywell

Like any other federal administration, NASA is An advanced file graphics server generates overall weight by up to 45 kilograms (99lbs). publicly funded through Congress and in the custom graphics and performs high speed The system is also designed to save on power current economic climate the requirement to processing and high capacity data storage to and promotes more efficient cooling through a make budgets stretch as far as possible, while support the display of electronic charts and maps significant reduction in wiring. maintaining world-class performance, is more and uplinked weather information. Large LCD viewable areas, more in keeping acute than ever. The server enables the display of approach with modern personal computers, with NASA’s response was to modify the Boeing charts, terminal maps, standard instrument patented all angle viewing technology 747SP and to equip the aircraft with the very best departure (SIDs) charts, standard terminal arrival make seeing and absorbing data easier technology, for both the telescope and scientific (STARs) charts and the map application. The map too, improving situational awareness and equipment in the modified cabin section and feature provides a moving map on which uplink response. on the flight deck to support the precise routes weather data is displayed. Supported by Honeywell’s worldwide customer required for an airborne observatory. Honeywell’s new XM data link weather receiver support, maintenance and planned upgrades can Honeywell has been a supplier to NASA since the brings high speed graphical weather to the be executed smoothly and swiftly in concert with administration’s launch in 1958 and Honeywell CDS/R flight deck. the aircraft’s busy schedule and evolving mission technology has been on board almost all of The XM receiver adds a new dimension to requirements. NASA’s vehicles and on every human space flight Honeywell’s line of datalink weather receivers by “The Honeywell CDS/R provides pilots vehicle since Apollo. providing WINN, Honeywell’s Weather Information with crystal clear screens and displays, Network, at any altitude, including on the ground delivering a huge range of much more easily Solution accessible data - and therefore situational Honeywell’s Primus Epic Control Display System Benefits awareness - with which to navigate and fly Retrofit (CDS/R) equipped the aircraft’s flightdeck Honeywell’s Primus Epic CDS/R has a flexible and safely and securely,” said Bob Blaser, with a new, flexible and highly integrated avionics scalable architecture which allows customers to senior product manager for manned space suite that seamlessly connects with existing immediately gain benefits, while also positioning systems, Honeywell. equipment for an economical, operationally the aircraft for future upgrade with a variety of advanced system. optional features. “Honeywell understands the importance of the work being done on the SOFIA program and It also provides a platform on which a wide variety Hardware is carefully selected to operate is proud to provide the organization with great of additional components can be added to meet seamlessly with a very wide variety of legacy technology and a huge support network that future requirements. New display features include analog and digital hardware and interfaces. graphical uplink weather and world leading means people are always on hand when NASA Jeppesen charts and maps. For SOFIA, this ensures compliance with airspace needs them. regulations worldwide, and provides the NASA Honeywell’s DU-1080 liquid crystal display unit “Honeywell’s CDS/R is a cost-effective solution pilots with advanced safety, capability and offers crisp, clear, full-color electronic flight that enabled NASA to replace the aircraft’s reliability features. instrument displays with excellent contrast ratios 30-year-old avionics with an advanced system that are easy to read. These displays have logged With a heavy telescope on board, managing the that would meet airspace compliance and well over five million flight hours on forward fit and aircraft’s weight is an ongoing operational issue. successfully prepare the aircraft for another 20 retrofit aircraft platforms. Honeywell’s modern, light LCDs help reduce years of operation.”

Honeywell Aerospace Honeywell 1944 E. Sky Harbor Circle Phoenix, AZ 85034 Telephone: 1.800.601.3099 International: 1.602.365.3099 N61-1303-000-000 January 2014 www.honeywell.com © 2014 Honeywell International Inc.