General Electric has purchased a Kent, Wash-based firm, Naverus, which spearheaded satellite-based airplane navigation technology for guiding aircraft and streamlining flight patterns around airports.
The amount of the transaction has not been disclosed as of Nov. 23.
Naverus’ technology can steer air traffic on autopilot along a smoothly descending, satellite-guided path, avoiding the stair-step approach and constant interplay with air traffic controllers that are now required to bring in planes.
By linking satellite-based GPS with the plane’s autopilot system, the technology allows closer spacing of airplanes and more fuel-efficient landing approaches, according to experts in the field.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) gave the company approval two months ago to design and validate flight paths at U.S. airports for a wide array of airlines. The approval enables the company to play a role in accelerating the FAA’s proposed modernization of the U.S. air traffic system, known as NextGen.
Naverus was founded in 2003 and its mission is to “harness emerging navigation technologies to make air transportation operations around the world run better,” according to its Web site.
Naverus will become part of GE Aviation Systems.