General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has selected the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion integrated avionics system to support the company’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAS.

In an effort to simply civil airspace access, Rockwell Collins will offer support to GA-ASI to “efficiently upgrade the proven Predator B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system.”

The UAS ground control station will utilize the capabilities of the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion integrated avionics system, to support customers and missions that require operations in civil airspace.

“Our Pro Line Fusion avionics bring a proven, civil-certified pedigree from manned aviation to unmanned systems,” says Dave Schreck, vice president and general manager, Airborne Solutions, for Government Systems at Rockwell Collins.

“The flexibility of the system enables its application for UAS.”

Features of the platform will include interactive touch-control displays, and a Flight Management System "to support Instrument Flight Rules flight in today’s airspace."

UAS operators will have their workload minimized thanks to the intuitive operator interface and interactive touchscreen map, and they will also have access to “civil airspace features integrated with the graphical presentation of the existing ground control station.”

“This program with GA-ASI will help pave the way and set the standards for UAS platforms accessing controlled civil airspace,” Schreck adds.