Purpose and Scope

This document sets forth the characteristics of an advanced Flight Management Computer System (FMS) specifically designed for installation in new generation aircraft. The system is also intended for retrofit in aircraft that presently use ARINC 700 series equipment. The advanced FMS is expected to provide expanded functional capability beyond that defined in ARINC Characteristic 702, and support the necessary requirements for operation in the future Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) operational environment. This includes extensive use of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), Required Navigation Performance (RNP) based navigation, air to ground data link for communications and surveillance, and the associated crew interface control/display capabilities. The functional requirements defined herein also apply to a Flight Management Function (FMF) in an integrated modular avionics architecture with software partitions.

The ICAO Future Air Navigation System (FANS) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) for CNS/ATM are currently evolving and are expected to continue to evolve. The requirements included in this document represent a best guess at the CNS/ATM related functions to be supported by the advanced FMS.

This document does not characterize the requirements for a Control Display Unit (CDU). While the CDU is included in the original version of ARINC Characteristic 702, the capabilities of the Multi-Purpose Control Display Unit (MCDU) are separately defined in ARINC Characteristic 739.

This document defines the functional and interface characteristics of the FMS and assumes that the appropriate MCDU characteristics are defined separately in ARINC Characteristic 739A or elsewhere.