Avionics manufacturer Honeywell has agreed to supply multiple units of its new IntuVue RDR-84K Band Radar System for inclusion in the developer’s urban air mobility (UAM) prototype aircraft.
The IntuVue radar system is still under testing and preproduction, but is thought to be a step toward automating the takeoff and landing of UAM aircraft.
“The RDR-84K is one of the many solutions we offer UAM companies,” said Carl Esposito, president, Electronic Solutions, Honeywell Aerospace.
“We’re continuously developing new technology to meet the future demands and needs of all developers so they can create concept UAM aircraft that disrupt transportation and change the way people commute.”
The phased-array radar is electronically steered and has no moving parts, being entirely software based.
The radar uses multiple beams which scan simultaneously, detecting different outputs such as other aircraft, terrain and runways at the same time.
This gives the aircraft the ability to ‘focus’ on important items ahead, allowing the UAM aircraft to land safely with little to no input from the operator.