New 5G tolerant radar altimeters ready for take-off
DALLAS, TX, AUGUST 16, 2022 – FreeFlight Systems, a NextGen aviation leader specializing in avionics design, development, and manufacturing, today announced that the RA-6500 and RA-5500 TERRAIN series radar altimeters have received Technical Standard Order (TSO) certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Since October 2021, FreeFlight Systems has been completing major certification milestones, including successful flight and Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) testings, while working towards receiving TSO certification. Effective August 8, 2022, the RA-6500 dual install and RA-5500 single install TERRAIN Series radar altimeters have been certified to meet the performance standards required for airborne low-range radar altimeters.
“In 2019, foreseeing the interference to radar altimeters from C Band 5G telecommunications, we launched an innovative, clean-sheet radar altimeter design to provide protection from signal interference,” mentions Anthony Rios, President of FreeFlight Systems. “We are proud to have achieved TSO certification, which allows us to better serve our industry with a modernized, rugged, and flexible radar altimeter solution that currently does not exist in the market.”
Designed for all segments of aviation, including commercial transport, business and general aviation, military and defense, rotorcraft, and uncrewed aviation, the TERRAIN Series radar altimeters are the lightest, most advanced in their class with up to a 60% reduction in volume from legacy units currently in the field.
The state-of-the-art radar altimeters will equip operators with a 5G-tolerant solution, ensuring accurate altitude measurement readings critical for safe approach and landing operations in urban and mountainous terrain. The TERRAIN Series demonstrated that 5G interference rejection enables users to operate aircraft safely, even in close proximity to 5G cellular towers.
The TERRAIN Series’ altitude measurement range of up to 2,500 feet and 55,000 feet service ceiling comes in a small footprint design that can easily be installed in place of legacy radar altimeters from various manufacturers. To further support a wide range of aircraft platforms, the TERRAIN Series incorporates the latest ethernet connectivity standards for new platforms while retaining an analog ARINC 552 interface for integration with legacy indicators and components. With existing installations in mind, the RA-5500 and RA-6500 simplify retrofit installations by supporting existing antennas, control heads, and cabling as needed. For additional display options, FreeFlight Systems offers the RAD45 standalone indicator which meets EASA AMC1 SPA.NVIS.110(b) guidelines.
“We have a considerable backlog of orders from operators and OEMs, particularly the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) segment. Now having the TSO certification, we are ready to begin product shipments,” mentions Anthony Rios. “This is good timing considering the accelerating deployment of 5G networks across the country which continues to challenge flight safety.”
FreeFlight Systems is now shipping the new TERRAIN Series radar altimeters. To learn more, please contact sales@freeflightsystems.com, or visit freeflightsystems.com.
About FreeFlight Systems
As NextGen aviation leader, FreeFlight Systems designs and manufactures high-performance avionics for flight safety. These solutions deliver substantial safety and unmatched reliability that is critical for modern flight operations. Founded in 2001 and based in Texas, the company pioneered the first certified aviation WAAS/GSP receiver and their first rule-compliant UAT ADS-B system. FreeFlight Systems is now a global aerospace leader, specializing in SBAS/GNSS sensors, radar altimeters, flight management systems and other NextGen aerospace avionics. For more information, visit freeflightsystems.com.
