Honeywell Aerospace’s latest navigational technology will be available as an option on Airbus A320 and A330 aircraft in early 2018.

The new Integrated Multi-Mode Receiver will offer Airbus customers access to the latest precision navigation capabilities — a cost-effective solution that increases airport traffic capacity while decreasing weather-related delays, noise and operating costs through more efficient routing and improved navigation performance, said a statement.

Honeywell’s Integrated Multi-Mode Receiver (IMMR) navigation receiver will enable airline operators to take advantage of the latest in satellite-based navigation such as Honeywell’s SmartPath Ground-Based Augmentation System (GBAS), which will allow more accurate approach and landing access than today’s land-based systems, it said.

The new navigation receiver will also offer expanded capabilities for landing in very-low-visibility weather conditions.

John Bolton, president, Air Transport and Regional, said: “We work closely with Airbus to ensure that our mutual customers have the most advanced technology so they fly the safest and most efficient flights possible.

“Honeywell’s latest Integrated Multi-Mode Receiver was designed to help airlines meet current industry navigation mandates and prepare for future capabilities through simple software upgrades.”

The Honeywell IMMR is the industry’s only all-digital navigation radio that integrates multiple navigation functions into a single receiver, while reducing size and weight up to 50 per cent compared with current solutions. This makes it easier for pilots to fly more complex and precise flight paths and approaches by using GPS satellites to pinpoint the aircraft’s location with extreme precision, said the statement.

 The latest procedures and systems supported by the IMMR include satellite-based augmentation system, Required Navigation Performance-Authorisation Required and GPS Landing System (GLS) Category I, it said.