ATW Daily News

GE Aviation acquires Naverus

Tuesday November 24, 2009

GE Aviation announced yesterday that it has acquired Naverus, the Performance-Based Navigation services provider that develops RNP procedures for airlines and air traffic management organizations.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Kent, Wash.-based Naverus, a privately held company that employs around 60, was ATW's 2009 Aviation Technology Achievement Award winner (ATW, February 2009). In September it received a Letter of Qualification from US FAA "to design and validate Required Navigation Performance flight paths for public use in the United States" (ATWOnline, Sept. 28) and over the summer signed a contract with Airservices Australia to develop the world's first nationwide Performance-Based Navigation network (Eco-Aviation Today, July 10) .

"GE is committed to delivering solutions that help our customers operate aircraft more efficiently, with reduced environmental impact," GE Aviation Systems President and CEO Lorraine Bolsinger said. GE stated that combining Naverus's RNP technology with its existing suite of avionics and flight management systems "enables GE to better address customers' needs for air traffic management service solutions." It noted that Naverus's RNP technology is aimed at "help[ing] airlines reduce flight time, carbon emissions and community noise on both approach and departure" and is "fundamental" to the transition to satellite-based ATC.

Being acquired by GE "is great news for Naverus and our customers," CEO Steve Forte said. "Customers will continue to benefit from the same expertise and service for which Naverus is known, while the strength of GE provides a platform for future innovation and growth."

by Aaron Karp

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