FlightAware

Collins Aerospace acquired FlightAware, a leading provider of global flight tracking solutions, predictive technology, analytics and decision-making tools. FlightAware’s capabilities in traffic and asset analytics, coupled with Collins’ expertise across avionics, system integration and network connectivity, have critically optimized aerospace traffic and airspace design to lessen aerospace fuel use and noise footprint. 

Collaborative platforms

Onboard enablement systems, like FOMAX and InteliSight™, are providing airlines better access to more information than ever before. By connecting vehicle data content sources and applications, Collins Aerospace can improve the utility, accuracy, latency, and labor effort to render new digital product solutions. These solutions enable airlines to optimize operational tasks, which leads to more efficient operations, improved fuel consumption.

Flight path optimization

Pilots rely heavily on a range of available data sources to make decisions. When pilots re-route to compensate for weather changes, it often adds significant time and distance to the flight plan.

We are leveraging environmental data, as well as air traffic and airspace information, from a variety of connected sources to optimize an aircraft’s flight path and provide “up-to-the-minute” route recommendations so pilots can minimize flight plan deviation and excess fuel burn – all while helping to improve arrival time performance.

More electric systems

By replacing traditional hydraulic and pneumatic systems with electric systems, we can reduce bleed air required from the engine and enable greater engine efficiency and lower fuel consumption. Collins Aerospace manufactures the only bleed-less electric environmental control system in service today for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner which supports the 787 in significantly reducing fuel burn.

Hybrid-electric / electric propulsion

For aviation, breakthrough electric propulsion systems must not only be scalable, efficient and affordable – they must be safe and pass rigorous certification testing.

Collins Aerospace has invested heavily in research and development of hybrid-electric propulsion technologies, including a state-of-the-art electric systems lab called The Grid in Rockford, Illinois.

Next generation propeller systems

Innovations in propeller design, like those we see in our enhanced Collins NP2000, are another way we’re working on fuel and cost efficiencies.

By enabling a 20% increase in thrust, our NP2000 propeller allows aircraft to take off on shorter runways or from higher altitude runways. It also enables aircraft to use lower power settings on longer runways, which reduces fuel burn. The increased efficiency also helps with fuel savings during cruise operations.

Synthetic Aviation Fuels

Synthetic Aviation Fuels, or SAFs, are fuels that come from a variety of power-derived or plant-based materials that can be sourced in a way that does not threaten food crops, forests or interfere with existing water resources.

Collins Aerospace, in collaboration with our sister business, Pratt & Whitney, customers and industry partners, is actively developing systems and solutions to enable 100% SAF-ready engines and aircraft.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen can also be used as an alternative fuel for aviation; however hydrogen can’t be stored the same way as conventional jet fuel. Making it so aircraft can use hydrogen optimally, whether in fuel cells or engine combustion requires significant modifications to airframes and seamless collaboration among airframers, aircraft system providers and propulsion providers.

The reach of Collins Aerospace systems and technology across the aircraft puts us in a unique position to collaborate with customers on hydrogen solutions and other alternative power sources.

A350 Nacelle Enhancement Program

We collaborated with Airbus to enhance the nacelle, which includes the fan cowl, thrust reverser, exhaust system and other equipment items – saving approximately 122 kilograms per aircraft. And the lighter the aircraft, the higher the fuel efficiency.

Composite materials and advanced manufacturing

Our Center of Excellence in Banbury (UK) develops composite fuel pipes to replace heavier metal components.

New materials for the next generation of flight

We’re looking at new materials to use across a number of applications – nacelles, next-generation aircraft seating, landing gear, among others – that will each contribute to lighter, more fuel-efficient operations.

Some innovations-in-progress include:

Multi-function structures

Example: Integrated aircraft doors

We’re working on a thermoplastic, one-piece door structure that comes fully assembled with new latches, augmented situational awareness technology and an integrated evacuation system to offer one-stop, scalable design for next-generation single-aisle and widebody aircraft.

The combination of lighter, composite materials throughout the structure and our ability to optimize design for all of the elements installed in the door, is a more efficient use of weight and space on the aircraft.

Power & thermal management solutions

Example: Integrated power management

Collins teamed up with Pratt & Whitney and the Raytheon Technologies Research Center on a one-company solution to bring transformational power and thermal management capabilities to next-generation jets.

By pairing advanced systems architectures with digital engine controls in new ways, the team was able to lower the temperature on heat exchangers, reduce fuel burn, and lighten overall aircraft weight – all while optimizing engine performance.

Actuation technology

Example: Integrated electro-mechanical actuation components

Collins Aerospace is developing “smart” actuation components for both commercial airplanes and helicopters in our center of excellence for actuation systems in France. This program is supported through a four-year research and development program grant from the French civil aviation authority (DGAC).

The investment will be used to develop a number of solutions, including: a lighter, more compact, motorized gearbox; more compact actuator structures with improved thermal management; a full authority actuator to enable fly-by-wire for all helicopter platforms; AI-enabled prognostics and health management capabilities; and an advanced, modular electro-mechanical actuator that can be used across a number of platforms.