Universal Avionics Systems Corporation, also known as Universal Avionics, is an international company headquartered in
Tucson, Arizona
, "(at the) base of the black ill
, nicknames = "The Old Pueblo", "Optics Valley", "America's biggest small town"
, image_map =
, mapsize = 260px
, map_caption = Interactive map ...
in the United States. It primarily focuses on
flight management system
A flight management system (FMS) is a fundamental component of a modern airliner's avionics. An FMS is a specialized computer system that automates a wide variety of in-flight tasks, reducing the workload on the flight crew to the point that mode ...
s (FMS) and cockpit instrument displays for private, business, and commercial
aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air. It counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engine ...
. The company has domestic offices in
Arizona
Arizona ( ; nv, Hoozdo Hahoodzo ; ood, Alĭ ṣonak ) is a state in the Southwestern United States. It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. Arizona is part of the Fou ...
,
Kansas
Kansas () is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its capital is Topeka, and its largest city is Wichita. Kansas is a landlocked state bordered by Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to th ...
,
Washington
Washington commonly refers to:
* Washington (state), United States
* Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States
** A metonym for the federal government of the United States
** Washington metropolitan area, the metropolitan area centered o ...
, and
Georgia
Georgia most commonly refers to:
* Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia
* Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States
Georgia may also refer to:
Places
Historical states and entities
* Related to the ...
, and overseas offices in
Switzerland.
History
Universal Avionics was founded in 1981 by Hubert L. Naimer. Its first FMS was introduced in 1982.
In 1999, Universal Avionics started its Instrument Division with the purchase of a line of flat panel integrated displays from Avionic Displays Corporation of
Norcross,
Georgia
Georgia most commonly refers to:
* Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia
* Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States
Georgia may also refer to:
Places
Historical states and entities
* Related to the ...
. On September 12, 2004, Hubert L. Naimer died and his son Joachim L. Naimer assumed the position of
President
President most commonly refers to:
*President (corporate title)
* President (education), a leader of a college or university
* President (government title)
President may also refer to:
Automobiles
* Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ...
and
CEO.
On September 25, 2007, the
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the largest transportation agency of the U.S. government and regulates all aspects of civil aviation in the country as well as over surrounding international waters. Its powers include air traffic ...
(FAA) gave
TSO approval to Universal's
WAAS
The Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) is an air navigation aid developed by the Federal Aviation Administration to augment the Global Positioning System (GPS), with the goal of improving its accuracy, integrity, and availability. Essentia ...
/
SBAS enabled Flight Management Systems.
It was the first FMS to be certified for WAAS
LPV.
In March 2018 it was announced that the Naimer family was selling the company to Israel's
Elbit Systems; the sale was completed the following month.
Following the acquisition Universal Avionics will continue to operate, with the same management and workforce and under the same name, as a wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of Elbit Systems of America.
[https://elbitsystems.com/pr-new/elbit-systems-completes-acquisition-universal-avionics-systems-corporation/]
Products
Flight Management Systems
Universal has been offering the UNS-1 line of Flight Management Systems since 1982.
Synthetic Vision
Universal offers the Vision-1
Synthetic Vision (SVS) System. The Vision-1 was the first SVS product certified for Part 25 aircraft.
Terrain Awareness and Warning System
Universal offers a
Terrain Awareness and Warning System
In aviation, a terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS) is generally an on-board system aimed at preventing unintentional impacts with the ground, termed "controlled flight into terrain" accidents, or CFIT. Federal Aviation AdministrationInst ...
(TAWS) with a
3D perspective mode.
Flat Panel Integrated Displays
Universal offers Flat Panel Integrated Displays.
Communications Management Units
Universal offers the 1 MCU UniLink CMU (Communication Management Unit) with or without a built-in VDR (
VHF Data Radio
Very high frequency (VHF) is the ITU designation for the range of radio frequency electromagnetic waves ( radio waves) from 30 to 300 megahertz (MHz), with corresponding wavelengths of ten meters to one meter.
Frequencies immediately below V ...
). The UniLink CMU is capable of operating in 25 kHz and 8.333 kHz channel spacing environments and operating as part of the
ACARS data network.
References
{{reflist
Companies based in Tucson, Arizona
Electronics companies of the United States
Companies established in 1981
Electronic design
Avionics companies