Collins Aerospace, one of the world’s leading suppliers of aviation components, has announced a new partnership with technology company Intel to use the latter’s processors in its Perigon flight control computers. The Perigon computers will use Intel’s Atom x6400E processor. The advanced semiconductors will help the Perigon reach elevated computing powers, which is will be required for future applications like autonomous flight.

President of Power & Controls for Collins Aerospace, Henry Brooks, said:

“Perigon connects decades of experience in flight control computing from Collins with industry-leading processing expertise from Intel. This powerful combination of cutting-edge technologies will provide customers with a unique, next-gen solution to enable new performance capacity in future commercial and defense platforms.”

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 Photo: Getty Images

Perigon computer receives a significant upgrade

With the ability to integrate Intel’s Atom x6400E processors into the existing Perigon computer, Collins will add a suite of advanced capabilities to its product. For starters, the new processor will increase the computer’s processing power by up to 20 times compared to existing figures. Collins says this unprecedented increase in computational power will help its customers better prepare for tomorrow’s flight control requirements.

Tony Franklin, GM of the Federal and Aerospace Division for Intel Corporation, said:

“We’re pleased to expand our longstanding relationship with Collins, as we work together to enable and simplify the certification of safety-critical aviation systems. The Atom x6400E’s enhanced computing capabilities with Intel’s Airworthiness Evidence Package will play an integral role in enabling Perigon’s support of flight safety and time-critical applications for the next generation of aircraft, allowing customers to modernize their flight control and vehicle management for today’s and tomorrow’s aviation applications.”

Best of both worlds, for use in both worlds

Today’s announcement marks a significant step forward for Collins Aerospace in particular and the aviation industry at large. As it becomes increasingly apparent that autonomous technology and reduced pilot duties are set to become the new norms in global aviation, it is advanced technologies like this that will make it possible. To that end, the Intel Corporation will help the Perigon be certified by the FAA using its ‘Airworthiness Evidence Package.’

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Modern aircraft heavily rely on superior computing power to fly. Photo: Getty Images

Indeed, state-of-the-art computers like the Perigon will be used not only in civil aviation but also for military aircraft. The Perigon is a highly versatile computer that can be easily configured to suit a specific customer’s needs. Some typical applications for this technology outside civil aviation include sixth-gen fighter aircraft, aerial firefighting, and even military rotary-wing platforms.

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A few weeks ago, Simple Flying reported on another partnership agreement signed by Collins Aerospace and startup UAV developer Natilus. This pact will see both companies working together to build a specialized cargo loading system for Natilus’ upcoming autonomous cargo UAV. It will be interesting to see if the Perigon computer with Intel’s processor finds its way onto this project as well.

What do you make of this partnership between Collins Aviation and the Intel Corporation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.