Single Antenna Radar Altimeter (SARA)

During development, we interviewed maintenance crews and collected critical feedback to make SARA easy to install and to get rid of typical installation problems. Given the relative ease in which SARA can be removed and replaced from an aircraft, in an unlikely event of a failure, it significantly reduces the aircraft down time. For example, in traditional altimeter systems, it’s common for one or both antennas to be installed in the wrong orientation. There is also a reduction in troubleshooting time due to corrosion issues (antenna to cable interface).

Troubleshooting a traditional altimeter system can require inspecting separate components installed in different areas of the aircraft which may not be easily accessible. In some cases, it also requires the use of highly specialized RF test equipment which may not be easily available, increasing aircraft down time significantly.

At the moment, SARA is only available for new, forward-fit aircraft.

Honeywell Key Advantages:

Parts Count: 1 Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) vs. 6 components of traditional altimeter systems: 1 altimeter, 2 antennas, 2 cables and 1 optional tray.
Ease of Installation and Replacement: 8 screws and 1 connector;
Installing SARA provides the option of using gel gasket exterior which eliminates the need to seal the antenna to the aircraft which can save up to 8 hours of curing time when installing/replacing a new unit.
Improve Reliability: >51,000 hours predicted Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF). Common failure mode of traditional systems is corrosion of RF cable to antenna interface. Interface in SARA is environmentally sealed.
Compact Design: 6.1 x 2.8 x 6.2 inches - excluding antenna assembly length and width (155 x 72 x 158 mm).
Significant Weight Reduction: Estimated 60% weight savings when compared to traditional altimeter systems

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical lead time for gas turbine overhaul services?

The lead time for gas turbine overhaul services ranges from 6 to 14 weeks, depending on the damage assessment, parts availability, and whether hot-section repairs are required. Expedited options may reduce this by 30%.
Do you provide customizations for legacy turbine control systems?

Yes, we retrofit legacy systems (e.g., GE Frame 5, Siemens V94.2) with modern digital controllers, typically completing hardware integration within 4-8 weeks. Software migration requires additional validation time.
How often should industrial gas turbines undergo performance testing?

We recommend annual performance testing under ISO 3977-2 standards. Critical applications (e.g., offshore platforms) may require semi-annual tests with emissions compliance checks.
Are your radiation-hardened (rad-hard) semiconductors compliant with MIL-PRF-38535?

All rad-hard devices (e.g., FPGA, ADC) are QML Class V certified under MIL-PRF-38535 and tested to MIL-STD-883 Method 1019 for SEU tolerance. Full qualification reports are available upon request.
What temperature ranges do your military-grade ICs support?

Our ASICs and power management ICs operate across -55°C to +175°C ambient temperatures, with derating curves provided in military temperature range (MTR) datasheets.
Are PMA parts interchangeable with OEM components?

Our PMA parts (e.g., actuators, sensors) hold FAA/EASA Form 1 certification and match OEM form/fit/function. Installation requires SB/MB documentation per FAA AC 23.1529.
What traceability standards do you follow for aircraft fasteners?

All NAS/MS fasteners include full DNA traceability: melt source (AMS 2301), heat/lot numbers, and AS9100-compliant MTRs with ultrasonic test reports.
How do you handle urgent AOG (Aircraft on Ground) requests?

AOG orders ship within 4 hours for stocked items (FAA-PMA, EASA Part 21G). Non-stock critical parts trigger priority manufacturing with 72-hour max turnaround.