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T3CAS selected as future Standard on A320 Family

AviationXpert Crew 26 August 2019
  • T3CAS is a standardized integrated surveillance solution
  • It reduces aircraft weight and lowered cost of ownership for airlines
  • Included are advanced safety features like integrated TCAS, ADS-B Transponder and TAWS

ACSS, an L3Harris Technologies and Thales Company, announced a contract extension with Airbus selecting the T3CAS integrated surveillance solution as the future standard solution for the A320 Family of aircraft. T3CAS significantly reduces weight on the aircraft and allows Airbus to simplify the installation by removing unnecessary cables, racks, antennas and computers from the aircraft, which are required for other federated solutions.

T3CAS is a fully integrated solution combining communications and surveillance in a single, lighter-weight line replaceable unit (LRU). This includes the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), the Mode S Transponder with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) In/Out, and the Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (TAWS) functions. It also provides advanced traffic management solutions through ADS-B In Applications, Runway Overrun Prevention System (ROPS) and Low Required Navigation Performance (RNP).

“We developed this highly functional, integrated solution to provide value by reducing the weight, and therefore the total cost of ownership for the airlines. This contract extension is a direct result of the positive acceptance from airlines and ACSS continuing to deliver on our commitments to Airbus.”

Terry Flaishans, President of ACSS

T3CAS offers several safety features including Performance TAWS. Performance TAWS goes beyond the standard oral and visual alerts for Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) by providing cautionary warnings based on the aircraft’s actual climb performance capability. The advanced algorithm uses the aircraft performance model, current gross weight, wind conditions, air temperature, altitude and engine out status in relation to the flight path and the terrain. The system generates the alert based on the aircraft’s ability to climb above the terrain – instead of the standard distance warning other systems use.

Photo Credit: Thomas Fengler

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