Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group to develop a Future Air Navigation System (FANS 1/A+)

Tuesday 9th September 2014

Avionics upgrade for Bombardier's Challenger 604 aircraft

Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group has entered into a conditional letter of agreement with Bombardier to develop a Future Air Navigation System (FANS) 1/A+ avionics upgrade for Bombardier*'s Challenger 604* aircraft. The upgrade will be designed to enhance pilot to air traffic control communications and allow easy access to dedicated and shorter route FANS 1/A+ to North Atlantic Tracks.

Marshall will be responsible for designing the FANS 1/A+ upgrade for Bombardier and completing a trial installation for early 2015. The solution, which will then be available as a Bombardier Service Bulletin, is the first FANS 1/A+ avionics upgrade offered by Bombardier for the Challenger 604 on the market and will consist of entirely commercially available equipment.

FANS 1/A+ was developed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) as one of a number of technologies behind next generation Air Traffic Management (ATM). It allows for the better handling of higher volumes of air traffic, and FANS-equipped aircraft enable operators to gain maximum revenue from their operations. The Bombardier upgrade will be compliant with all current variations of FANS 1/A+ (as defined by ICAO) and could provide customers with savings on time and fuel burn by providing access to the most efficient navigation routes.

Andy Nureddin, Vice President, Customer Services and Support, of Bombardier Business Aircraft, comments: "We are pleased to be working with Marshall on this project. Marshall has completed over 1,500 upgrades, on both military and commercial platforms, and has the knowledge, skills and experience to be able to deliver."

Steve Fitz-Gerald, CEO of Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group, adds. "To work with Bombardier on this project is exciting for us, as we continue to work closely together to develop innovative engineering solutions."

There are currently 361 Challenger 604 aircraft in service and this solution will be of great benefit to existing operators and owners.

About Marshalls Airospace:

Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group (www.marshalladg.com) specialises in the conversion, modification, maintenance and support of military, civil and business aircraft, plus defence vehicle engineering and shelter manufacture. Headquartered in Cambridge,

Marshall's 800 acre site includes 1.2 million ft2 of hangar space plus the company-owned Cambridge Airport, which is capable of accepting aircraft up to Boeing 747 and Airbus A320 size. The company's capabilities include engineering design, manufacture and test, systems integration, maintenance and product support, and the provision of personnel, training and advice.

Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group employees more than 1,750 highly trained personnel in Cambridge alone and has operated an apprentice training programme continuously since 1920. It also recently launched AeroAcademy in partnership with Kingston University.

Company accolades include: a Queen's Award for Enterprise (Innovation category - 2013), Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology (Min DEST) Award (2013), and a Royal Air Force's Chief of the Air Staff's Commendation (also 2013). The last of these was in recognition of Marshall's role in 'Operation Weatherman', for which Marshall also won Aviation Week's MRO Award (Military Category). Most recently, Boeing presented Marshall with a Supplier of the Year award. This, close on the heels of achieving a Boeing Enterprise Supplier Tool (BEST) Gold rating.

Part of the Marshall Group of Companies, which employs more than 4,500 people worldwide, a turnover in excess of £1.3bn and is the 35th largest privately-owned business in the UK (Sunday Times 2014).

Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group has a presence on four continents, has exported its engineering capabilities to more than 30 countries and is working with 10 of the world's air forces in relation to the C-130 platform.