Honeywell, PTDI partner to supply collision-avoidance system to Indonesian Air Force

Honeywell has signed an MOU with PTDI to supply its Military Airborne Collision Avoidance System for the Indonesian Air Force's C-130 transport aircraft (pictured). (Jamie Hunter)

Honeywell has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Indonesia's state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) for the potential supply of its Military Airborne Collision Avoidance System (MILACAS) for the Indonesian Air Force (Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara: TNI-AU).

The MOU – signed during the Indo Defence 2022 exhibition held in Jakarta in early November – will support the modernisation of the TNI-AU's C-130 transport aircraft, Sathesh Ramiah, the vice-president of the Asia-Pacific region at Honeywell, told Janes in an interview.

MILACAS “is designed for a better range and quality of the surveillance broadcast on military aircraft”, Ramiah said.

It “provides up to two times better surveillance rate than the Enhanced Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance System (ETCAS)”, Ramiah added.

“We [Honeywell] are having further discussions with PTDI to finalise the complete timeline” for the supply and integration of MILACAS into the C-130 aircraft, Ramiah said.

According to Honeywell, MILACAS has a surveillance range of 100 nm for 360° azimuth. It utilises improved interrogation methods and hybrid surveillance (Automatic Dependent Surveillance−Broadcast [ADS-B]).

“The system is approved by civil and military frequency management organisations, including the US National Telecommunications and Information Administration for installation on all military aircraft,” the company said.

MILACAS has been designed to directly replace Honeywell's TPA-81A TCAS.

Honeywell, which also supplies the TPE331 turboprop engines to power the PTDI's NC212i light transport aircraft, is looking to expand collaboration with the Indonesian manufacturer through the supply of MILACAS for the C-130 aircraft, Ramiah told Janes .