Retrofit programs and UAS avionics represent opportunities for defense suppliers, says Honeywell Aerospace president

Posted by John McHalePARIS AIR SHOW BLOG, 20 June 2011. Honeywell Aerospace president for space and defense Mike Madsen says Honeywell has a pretty good idea where the cuts will be in the Department of Defense budget and that there will be opportunities in retrofit and modernization programs as well as unmanned aircraft system (UAS)avionics. "We know there will be changes and fewer procurement programs for classical weapon systems," Madsen told me during an interview today at the Paris Air Show. However, there is a "tipping point," where the lack of funding for new programs forces the DOD to modernize existing military aircraft to improve safety and energy efficiency which creates other opportunities for defense electronics suppliers, he adds.Regarding UAS avionics Honeywell is working with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their partners on avionics systems for UAS such as navigation, systems, surveillance systems, weather radar, TCAS and other systems, Madsen says.There also is a big push out of the DOD to enhance safety and energy efficiency of the older platforms, Madsen continues. The Air Force, Navy, and Army have share a concern about fuel consumption with the leaders behind The Federal Aviation Administration's Next Generation Air Transportation Program (NextGen) and will look to implement similar approaches in that area, he said.