PARIS, June 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE:
HON) and NASA have completed a two-year test to determine the most
effective way to show pilots flying supersonic jets where people on
the ground may hear sonic booms, potentially eliminating one of the
primary barriers to the broad adoption of supersonic flight. The
testing program successfully integrates predictive software and
display technology into business jet cockpits, and demonstrated how
pilots can see where, and how, sonic booms would affect the
population on the ground.
"We are pleased to complete this important milestone of the
pilot interface testing in civilian airspace with Honeywell," said
Brett Pauer, commercial supersonic
technology subproject manager, Overland Supersonic Flight, NASA.
"This technology could prove to be useful for NASA's future planned
Low Boom Flight Demonstration experimental airplane. This plane is
being designed to gather community noise response data that may
help remove the regulatory speed restriction to overland commercial
supersonic flight."
Flying at supersonic speeds would change the aviation industry
drastically, enabling pilots to cut business jet travel times
roughly in half. For instance, travel time from New York to Los
Angeles would be reduced from five hours to 2.5 hours or
less. However, the primary barrier to broad adoption of supersonic
flights over land are sonic booms, which are loud noises caused by
aircraft traveling faster than the speed of sound.
"With predictive technology and knowledge, pilots can change
course and minimize the boom over populated areas," said
Bob Witwer, vice president, Advanced
Technology, Honeywell Aerospace. "Honeywell and NASA have developed
this unique predictive display for civil aviation that has been
tested in commercial airspace, bringing the vision of the return of
commercial supersonic flight closer to reality."
In recent decades, NASA worked to develop the Cockpit
Interactive Sonic Boom Display Avionics software that predicts
sonic boom impact from an aircraft's current position and flight
parameters. As part of the completed two-year test program,
Honeywell and NASA integrated the software with Honeywell's
Interactive Navigation technology into a modern business jet's
avionics suite, which allows pilots to predict sonic booms over the
aircraft's future planned flight path. This provides them with
actionable information and visuals to assess the boom impact of a
flight plan and display trajectories before the boom is generated,
preventing the loud sound from disturbing populated areas.
To learn more about Honeywell's supersonic test program
at Paris Air Show 2017, visit Chalet 104 at Le Bourget,
Paris.
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Honeywell Aerospace products and services are found on virtually
every commercial, defense and space aircraft, and its turbochargers
are used by nearly every automaker and truck manufacturer around
the world. The Aerospace business unit develops innovative
solutions for more fuel-efficient automobiles and airplanes, more
direct and on-time flights, safer flying and runway traffic, along
with aircraft engines, cockpit and cabin electronics, wireless
connectivity services, logistics, and more. The business delivers
safer, faster, and more efficient and comfortable
transportation-related experiences worldwide. For more information,
visit www.honeywell.com or follow us at @Honeywell_Aero and
@Honeywell_Turbo.
Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100
software-industrial company that delivers industry specific
solutions that include aerospace and automotive products and
services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry;
and performance materials globally. Our technologies help
everything from aircraft, cars, homes and buildings, manufacturing
plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make
our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news
and information on Honeywell, please visit
www.honeywell.com/newsroom.
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SOURCE Honeywell