- Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE: HON) announced recently that it formed a new business unit that is dedicated to the growing Unmanned Aerial Systems and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) industries
Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE: HON) announced recently that it formed a new business unit that is dedicated to the growing Unmanned Aerial Systems and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) industries. The Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) business unit is going to continue Honeywell’s momentum and leadership in these emerging markets thus utilizing Honeywell’s technology, software, services, and certification expertise to meet customers’ needs in these markets.
Equipped with its own engineering and sales resources, the UAS business unit is going to develop new products and services uniquely required for these markets. And it will also act as a systems integrator for all Honeywell products and services that could be used in this industry.
These offerings include aircraft systems like avionics, electric, and hybrid-electric propulsion and thermal management, flight services like unmanned air traffic management, and ground operations services such as predictive aircraft maintenance analytics. And beyond technology development, this unit will be a single point of contact for innovative aircraft designers or operators to easily do business with Honeywell.
The new organization is going to further expand Honeywell’s growing portfolio of UAM solutions. And it is heavily focused on software development, driving rapid development and testing of new products such as a “fly-by-wire” autopilot system that automatically ensures aircraft stability even if the pilot is “hands off” for extended periods of time, detect-and-avoid algorithms that automatically fly an aircraft around oncoming traffic, and artificial intelligence software that tracks landing zones for precise vertical landings every time.
Key Quotes:
“Urban Air Mobility and Unmanned Aerial Systems will play an increasing role in the future of aerospace, with potential applications in all-electric urban air taxi vehicles, hybrid-electric unmanned cargo drones, optionally piloted airplanes, delivery drones and everything in between. Honeywell has already contributed many technological advancements to these markets, and is well positioned to continue growing our portfolio to meet customer needs and help shape the future of autonomous aviation and urban transport.”
– Mike Madsen, president and CEO, Honeywell Aerospace
“We’re seeing the dawn of a new era in aviation, and Honeywell is at the forefront. By forming this new organization, we will be able to harness the power of our engineering resources and know-how to transform urban air taxis, drone delivery of parcels and all forms of autonomous flight from a future vision into an everyday reality.”
– Stéphane Fymat, vice president and general manager of the newly formed business
Featured photo credit: Honeywell Urban Air Mobility
