C4ISR Mission Software Receives DO-178C Qualification

Transport Canada has awarded CarteNav’s AIMS-ISR mission software DO-178C level D qualification, which covers Flight Management Systems (FMS) integration capabilities, including automated flight planning and enhanced navigation data transfers.

This qualification marks the end of a 3-year development powered by CarteNav software developers, with aircraft integration conducted by airborne mission solution provider PAL Aerospace, engineering and testing by PAL Engineering, with advisory support by Certification Center Canada (3C). 

The new flight planning capabilities enable mission operators to create flight plans within AIMS-ISR contextualized with sensor and mission data. Operators can then push those flight plans to the cockpit FMS for acceptance by the flight crew. This integration is compatible with multiple FMS installations, with AIMS-ISR supporting cross-fill functions for safe and efficient flight deck management. These integrated flight planning capabilities are available during all ISR phases of flight – improving operator situational awareness and efficiency.

“Our team always strives for rock-solid reliability and operator situational awareness. DO-178C certification for integrating critical navigational functions of an ISR platform is, therefore, an important milestone for our evolving C4ISR solutions that the team and I are very proud of,” said Carl Daniels, COO of CarteNav. 

“Achieving DO-178C certification makes AIMS-ISR one of only a few tactical mission management systems to meet the highest standard of commercial airworthiness certification. I’m excited to see our customers put this technology to work in operations in which every second counts.”

“3C was extremely pleased to work with our colleagues at CarteNav and PAL on this all-Canadian project,” said Phil Cole, VP Business Development at 3C. 

“Successful projects like this establish enduring relationships, encourage future business for all those involved, and strengthen local supply chains, even during a pandemic.”

“PAL Aerospace operates ISR operations globally often simultaneously with numerous government agencies,” said Ben Boehm Senior Vice President of Aerospace Operations for PAL Aerospace. 

“Seamless communication of vital mission waypoints and surveillance patterns between tactical mission commanders or sensor operators and the cockpit are critical to efficient and safe flight operations, especially in crowded airspace.”