Rockwell Collins has been selected by Piaggio Aero to develop an integrated avionics system with touch-control flight displays for the Piaggio Aero multirole patrol aircraft (MPA).

In July 2012, Piaggio Aero was selected by Abu Dhabi Autonomous System Investments (ADASI) for the development of the MPA, a new special missions/surveillance aircraft designed to meet the need for a robust and high-tech solution for land, coastal, maritime and offshore security.

The Rockwell Collins integrated avionics system for the Piaggio Aero MPA features: easy-to-use 14-inch touch-control primary flight displays that enable natural, eyes-forward operation and dramatically enhance situational awareness through all phases of flight; advanced communication, navigation and surveillance systems, including automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B Out) compatibility for impending SESAR and NextGen airspace requirements; synthetic vision for increased situational awareness of terrain, especially at night or during low-visibility conditions; European mandate compliant Link 2000+ controller pilot data link communications (CPDLC) to enhance operational efficiency with electronic messaging; Rockwell Collins’ ascend aircraft information manager (AIM) to automatically upload flight-critical database updates and download aircraft maintenance information; European mandate compliant traffic alert collision avoidance system (TCAS II version 7.1) for enhanced safety. The first flight of the MPA with Rockwell Collins Avionics system is expected in 2014.