Horizons A magazine for the employees and friends of Rockwell Collins, Inc. > Volume 12 Issue 5 > 2007

Page 6 > Paying tribute to our products in combat Page 8 > Enhancing our intelligence business Page 10 > Racing across an ever-changing terrain www.rockwellcollins.com/horizons

A quantum leap in technology

Page 3 >

Find out how a series of flight tests around the world answered questions about MultiScanTM weather radar.

Innovative ideas helps strengthen our future

A

t Rockwell Collins, we are

the capability to see what type of

working hard to ensure that

weather was in front of them no

our company is consistently

matter where they were in the world.

viewed around the world

as an aerospace and defense industry

Committed to the customer

leader. We do not want to stand in the

relationships they had already

shadow of our competitors – which

formed and passionate about

is why producing the innovative solutions that our

enhancing a product capable of providing sustainable

customers are asking for is so important.

profit for our company, Dan and Roy listened closely to those customer recommendations.

In this issue of Horizons, you will learn about a team of engineers who exemplify what innovation is about. Dan

The engineering duo also listened to the diverse ideas and

Woodell and Roy Robertson are the masterminds behind

perspectives brought forth by their team members, and

our extremely successful MultiScanTM

ultimately developed a

weather radar – a product

business plan that made

introduced into the commercial

its way to senior leadership.

market segment seven years ago and one that is now

The result of that meeting

operating on more than 100

was approval of a multi-million

commercial airlines.

dollar series of flight tests around the world that gathered enough data to help this group

Despite the fact that MultiScan provided far greater

of engineers perfect the geographic smarts the radar

capabilities than the manual weather radar that had

needed to provide the best performance.

gone before it, our customers were asking for more. They wanted a product that would provide them with

Innovative ideas and passion like this will help our company continue its success. I encourage you to explore new concepts, and to carry your ideas forward so that our company strengthens its presence as an industry leader.

Clay Jones Chairman, President and CEO

Horizons

Volume 12 > Issue 5 > 2007

3> A quantum leap in technology Find out why Rockwell Collins opted to finance a series of flight tests around the world to help enhance our MultiScan™ weather radar.

6 > Our products in combat Discover how Rockwell Collins employees are making a difference in the global war on terror, and how the military is paying tribute.

8 > An ‘intelligent’ acquisition Learn about ITAC, our newly acquired company, and how its cutting-edge capabilities will help enhance our presence in the intelligence business.

10 > Running across different cultures Find out how six employees from France learned about Chinese culture and the country’s ever-changing terrain.

12 > Across our company Learn more about what’s taking place in Rockwell Collins locations around the world including Sterling, Va., and Melbourne, Fla.

Back cover > Facility spotlight Rockwell Collins Simulation & Training Solutions Visual Programs in Orlando, Fla., designs and builds simulation image generators and visual databases.

Also in this issue 2 > Letters to the editor 13 > Service anniversaries Visit Horizons online for the following Web extras: • A closer look at Nan Mattai, senior vice president of Engineering and Technology • An article about a field service engineer who was embedded with our troops • Information about how products from our newly acquired company are used • A feature story about James Stanley, our Open Innovator quarterly award winner • More information about what’s taking place across our company • Additional service anniversaries On the cover > Rockwell Collins Principal Systems Engineers Roy Robertson (left) and Dan Woodell led a team of engineers on a series of flight tests around the world. The information gathered will help enhance our MultiScanTM weather radar. Photo illustration by Paul Marlow, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

letters to the editor

Horizons Volume 12 > Issue 5 > 2007

Our products are important, too I have read with interest many of the articles published in Horizons magazine – both the print and online editions. It is nice to have the news articles showcase our people – the individuals who make so many meaningful contributions and who work so hard to enhance the value of our company. I would like to point out, however, that in addition to photographs and stories about our people, it also would be nice to see – from time to time – technical articles and photographs, diagrams, etc., of our products. I’m sure there are products that many of us are not even aware of and never come in contact with. For instance, when I read the article, “A come-from-behind victory,”

which was about our 2006 Chairman’s Team Award winner, I was disappointed about the lack of photographs featuring our head-up displays. After all, those displays are an integral part of the story. Seeing photographs of the magnificent products we design and build at Rockwell Collins – those that many of us never see firsthand – could potentially increase a corporate sense of pride. It also could provide a way to round out employees’ knowledge about our company, our ever-growing product lines, and the market segments that we pursue. Thank you. Dennis Blumenthal Melbourne, Fla.

Letters guidelines Horizons provides its letters page for readers to state their opinions. The page is intended to encourage an exchange of ideas and information that stimulates dialogue on issues or events in our company. The opinions may not necessarily reflect those of Rockwell Collins. Letters must include name, organization and a telephone number for verification purposes. Letters may be edited for grammar, syntax and size.

Learn more about our company in ‘Horizons online’ With a click of the mouse, you can now access the online version of Horizons — anytime at your leisure wherever you are in the world. Each new issue features additional content and photographs not available in the print version. Referred to as “Web extras,” these articles include feature stories about our quarterly Open Innovator award winner, and profiles about the members of our senior leadership team. Also included in Horizons online are short articles about employees who have been with our company for 35 years or more, a list of service 2

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anniversaries for those with 5, 10, 15 and 20 years of service, and a list of our recent retirees. We’ll continue to mail the print version of Horizons to your home, unless we hear from you. If you want to discontinue receiving your print version, please send an email to [email protected]. Please include your name and mailing address, and include Horizons in the subject line. Enjoy this issue of Horizons, and please be sure to visit Horizons online today, at www.rockwellcollins.com/ horizons.

Publisher: Tim Burris Editorial director: Larry Riley

EDITORIAL TEAM: Managing editor: Robert Fleener +1.319.295.8791 Editor: Jill Wojciechowski +1.319.295.4998 Copy editor: Ruth Anne Denker +1.319.295.0643 Staff writers: Crystal Hardinger + 319.295.3932 Anne Wiskerchen + 319.295.7533

Contributors in this issue: Mike Aubey, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Phyllis Blech, Bellevue, Iowa Rod Blocksome, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Selena Copeland, San Jose, Calif. Grace Du, Bejing, China Christiane Groussac, Blagnac, France Joanna Jeter, Sterling, Va. Karen Hildebrand, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Judith Kuboushek, Decorah, Iowa Kevin Liao, Bejing, China Justin Maddox, Sterling, Va. Kelly Nguyen, Irvine, Ca. Ben Ong, Sterling, Va. Don Pulliam, San Jose, Calif. Peggy Ritter, Melbourne, Fla. Marielle Rodeheffer, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Stephanie Smith, Sterling, Va. Dayna Teakell, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

How to contact us: Email: [email protected] Mailing address: Horizons Rockwell Collins M/S 124-302 400 Collins Road NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52498-0001 Phone: +1.319.295.4998 Fax: +1.319.295.9374 Web address: www.rockwellcollins.com/horizons

How to contact the Ombudsman: Phone: +1.866.224.8137 or +1.319.295.7714 Email: [email protected]

Horizons is published bimonthly by Rockwell Collins Enterprise Communications for our employees, retirees, shareowners and customers. We seek to inform and inspire our readers by incorporating our company’s Vision, business goals and other enterprise-wide initiatives throughout our publication. We also strive to spotlight issues and concerns that impact our employees, our company and our industry. © 2007 Rockwell Collins, Inc. All rights reserved.

> Roy Robertson (left) and Dan Woodell are the masterminds behind Rockwell Collins’ MultiScan™ Hazard Detection System, which is currently in use on more than 100 commercial airlines. Both agree that developing and enhancing this product has been a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity.

A quantum leap in technology Photos courtesy of Roy Robertson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Deciding whether to invest millions of research and development funds is not easy. Find out why Rockwell Collins opted to finance a series of flight tests around the world to help enhance our weather hazard avoidance system. By Jill Wojciechowski

C

apt. Ray Kennedy and Capt. David Oliver have safely transported millions of commercial airline passengers to their final destinations for a combined total of more than seven decades. Time and again, these veteran pilots have made the manual weather radar adjustments necessary during flight to help them determine when to maneuver away from thunderstorms and other inclement weather deemed potentially hazardous for those on board. These decisions – oftentimes made during a busy phase of flight with only a two-man crew on board – were the result of years of experience and intensive radar training that was becoming increasingly expensive for airlines to afford. The introduction of new, sophisticated airplanes at the turn of the 21st century also was prompting additional required pilot knowledge and workload. “Manual weather radar was very work intensive,” said Kennedy, a chief pilot for Taiwanese airline EVA Air. “If

you know how to use it, you’ll never have a problem. But, it demands a high level of operational skill.” It’s no wonder that Kennedy and Oliver, a chief technical pilot for Australian-based Qantas Airways, were among the first to buy into Rockwell Collins’ concept for a more standardized, automated tool introduced to the marketplace in 2000 as MultiScanTM weather radar. “The (MultiScan) system was a quantum leap in technology and provided us with a new method for detecting and filtering the weather,”

> Rockwell Collins leased this Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) for a series of global flight tests over the Pacific, Australia, Southeast Asia, Iceland, Europe, Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and the North and South Atlantic.

said Oliver. “It had characteristics – such as look-ahead and over-flight protection – unlike anything we had seen in the past.” Listening to our customers Soon after the concept for MultiScan was introduced at the Farnborough International Airshow in the summer of 2000, Rockwell Collins Principal Systems Engineers Dan Woodell and Roy Robertson ramped up their development quest. Their ultimate goal was to provide pilots with more complete information about weather hazard avoidance. “Thunderstorms are oftentimes embedded in clouds, so you really can’t see them,” said Woodell, who is the mastermind behind what has since become one of our company’s most notable products. “You could be flying into a cloud and not know what you’re getting into. That’s what we were trying to eliminate.” After working closely with several airline customers during the two-year course of development – identifying their problems and assessing their needs – and testing the radar during (continued on Page 4)

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A quantum leap in technology (continued from Page 3)

a trial flight over North America and the Gulf of Mexico, Woodell and Robertson stood proud as the product was released into service. With several senior airline executives and celebrities on board, a brand new Qantas airliner outfitted with the MultiScan system set out on its maiden voyage from Seattle, Wash., across the Pacific Ocean and along the

“We were completely taken by surprise,” said Robertson. “We expected (the radar) to work like gangbusters. We knew there were thunderstorms out there, but they couldn’t see them when using the radar in automatic mode and none of us understood that.” Committed to providing our customers with the best possible product, Woodell soon joined Robertson in Australia, and the engineering duo spent time visiting

States versus thunderstorms at cruise altitude over the Pacific Ocean near the equator might have less radar returns by 200 to 1. That’s a dramatic difference.” Developing our product That knowledge started a ninemonth period in which Woodell and Robertson, along with several of their weather radar team colleagues, began gathering information via our commercial airline customers,

Photos courtesy of Roy Robertson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

> Rockwell Collins engineers turned a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) into a flying radar test bed for a series of flight tests around the world. (From left) Ed Sevilla, a technician from Clay Lacy Aviation in Van Nuys, Calif., installs a weather radar antenna and pedestal on the BBJ; Senior Systems Engineer Greg Koenigs monitors data recording on board the BBJ; approaching the runway at Majuro International Airport in The Marshall Islands.

equator, to Sydney, Australia. According to Robertson, that’s where the real story begins. “I’ll never forget the day … it was Oct. 30, 2002,” recalled Robertson. “Qantas was our first delivery customer and they loved our radar. But when this new airplane flew over the Pacific Ocean and into a line of thunderstorms, the radar didn’t work.” As a result, Robertson caught the first possible flight from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Sydney, where he entered a room of disgruntled airline customers. Like those who were looking to him for answers, Robertson had no idea what was going on. 4

HORIZONS > 2007

with Australian meteorologists, looking for clues to explain what had happened. That’s where they learned about Ed Zipser, a research meteorologist and professor at the University of Utah, who had been studying the vertical buildup of thunderstorms all over the world using radar data from NASA’s Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite. “We read Dr. Zipser’s research paper and that’s when it all began to make sense,” recalled Woodell. “We realized that storms don’t behave the same way everywhere. Thunderstorms at cruise altitude over the United

primarily Qantas, Eva Air, and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. “We were using our customers to help us develop our product,” explained Robertson. “Our company didn’t have the capability to fly over the central Pacific and over the equator; we didn’t have airplanes that could do that. So, we installed prototype units on commercial airliners and tried to evaluate fixes during delivery flights.” During the next four years, our engineers gathered a multitude of information that not only helped finetune the radar system for use in the United States, but also helped answer

questions about how to achieve full functionality in today’s global environment. Although MultiScan had become extremely successful during this time, customers who flew international routes continued to request better solutions. “We had reached a point where using our customers’ airplanes simply wasn’t good enough,” said Robertson. “It was very difficult to do our evaluations in an airline environment, and the data we were collecting about weather characteristics in various regions was limited.” In September 2006, everything changed. During a Pilots Advisory Council meeting, several of those in attendance suggested our company lease its own long-haul airplane and fly in the respective environments. This would ultimately allow our engineers to gather critical data about how the automatic radar performs against thunderstorms in different regions. Throughout the next three months, Woodell and Robertson worked extensively on a plan that would ultimately take them and their colleagues on a trip around the world.

Photo courtesy of Roy Robertson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

> Members of the Rockwell Collins weather radar team pose for a photograph in Juneau, Alaska. Pictured (back, from left) are: Nathan Meyer, Dan Woodell, Flight Attendant Stephanie Hanson, Venkata Sishtla and Chuck Dickerson; (front) Greg Koenigs.

Brookshire, needed to address with senior leadership. And, in a corporate culture where out-of-budget costs are oftentimes frowned upon, Robertson admits he wasn’t sure what type of an answer to expect. “I was surprised when we were told A flying radar test bed to proceed,” said Robertson. “When a After determining a global route company stands up and does the right that would best help resolve the thing … that really means a lot.” issues raised by our customers and In early February 2007, our weather deciding what equipment needed to radar team boarded the Rockwell be installed, Woodell and Robertson Collins Sabreliner for limited oceanic began searching for a suitable airplane. work off the coast of Seattle, Wash. Our company ultimately decided to Later that month – after turning lease a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), and the BBJ into a flying radar test bed fly a series of global flight tests over complete with a flight test equipment the Pacific, Australia, Southeast Asia, rack, a tail-mounted video and a noseIceland, Europe, Africa, South America mounted WXR-2100 MultiScan radar and the Caribbean, as well as the – the group embarked on the second North and South Atlantic. in a series of three global flight tests. It was an out-of-plan, multiThis one began on Sunday, Feb. 18, and million dollar funding decision that concluded 26 days later. Woodell and Robertson, along with “We flew from southern California Commercial Systems colleagues Steve to the Marshall Islands, to Darwin, Paramore, Keith Stover and Steve

Australia, and then to other parts of the Asia-Pacific Region including Singapore and Taiwan,” said Woodell. “We arrived prior to monsoon season so we saw several thunderstorms and we ran into Tropical Cyclone George.” The group also flew into Anchorage, Alaska, and searched for weather along the mountainous range between Anchorage and Juneau. The final test of the MultiScan radar took place in June, when engineers spent a three-week period studying data collected over Iceland, Europe, Africa, South America and the Caribbean, as well as the North and South Atlantic. “It took a tremendous team effort to pull this off,” said Robertson. “From the moment we took off during that second flight test, we began gathering data that was never before possible. We knew right away that this was definitely the right thing to do.” (continued on Page 13)

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> Rockwell Collins employees James “J.R.” Russo (left) and DuWayne Jilek work closely with the U.S. Army to ensure the right enhancements are made to the Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) cockpit.

Our products in combat Photo by Paul Marlow, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Find out how Rockwell Collins employees are making a difference in the global war on terror, and how the military is paying tribute. Changing today’s battlefield environment – one that relies heavily on technology and the sharing of information via the Internet – could potentially be the difference between life and death for American soldiers and coalition forces. Information superiority ultimately provides our service men and women greater awareness of our own forces, the enemy and the battlefield. It also enables our armed forces to gain power from access and speed.

At Rockwell Collins, our employees are working hard to support the U.S. Defense Department’s (DoD) growing need for connectivity between the services by developing interrelated networks and architectures spanning all domains – air, ground, sea and space. This issue of Horizons features the first in a series of articles that takes a closer look at the products created from these developments and how they are being used today in combat situations.

hardware, explaining how the work that’s being done in a cubicle thousands of miles away from the oldiers typically don’t need to front lines is much more difficult. explain what their job entails or “In our line of work, it’s easy to say, how their work relates to various ‘we’ve finished off CAAS (Common military operations currently under Avionics Architecture System) way around the world. They might be stationed in a military version 3.1, now let’s move on to the next CAAS SOA (Special Operations base abroad where they are working Aviation) project,’ ” said James “J.R.” to protect their country; they might Russo, technical project manager for be serving on a military base in their Army programs at Rockwell Collins. homeland; or they might be helping “But when one of our customers comes to ensure the safety of citizens on back and recognizes our team, it different continents. instills a sense of ownership and pride But for the civilians who spend their in the products we produce.” days developing and manufacturing Such was the case recently during military-specific software and

By Anne Wiskerchen

S

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a visit by Maj. Kevin Cochie of the U.S. Army to Rockwell Collins employees in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was a chance for the men and women who have spent countless hours working to provide critical software for special operations helicopters to feel like soldiers for a day. “You will never hear on the news about the missions soldiers are carrying out because it’s special operations,” said Russo. “But when an operator takes time to carry a flag during his mission and recognize our equipment for helping to achieve an overall goal … it brings it all closer to home.”

Paying special tribute believe we have been so successful.” An Army Special Operations Avionics Fulfilling those requirements is program manager, Maj. Cochie paid what motivates each member of tribute recently to the CAAS SOA the CAAS SOA team. team at Rockwell Collins when he “If we can make these soldiers Photo courtesy of Monty Egan, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 1 or 2 percent safer while they are presented them with an American flag flown during his most recent sneaking around in the rocks or > Rockwell Collins Field Service Engineer Monty Egan was trip to support Operation Enduring sand, we’re doing our job right,” embedded with the troops in Operation Enduring Freedom where he supported the Common Avionics Architecture Freedom (OEF). said Russo. “There is a tremendous System (CAAS) cockpit, which was loaded in an MH-47G “I wanted the team to have the level of seriousness when we look Chinook. flag to show them that they are a at what this customer is doing with very important part of the global our equipment. “Having CAAS employed on SOF war on terror,” said Cochie. “They “Not everybody in the world can helicopters provides pilots with didn’t need to fly a helicopter or carry make these guys as successful as they a significant level of enhanced a rifle to contribute to this fight. They are,” he continued. “And right now, it situational awareness and mission have brilliant minds that created an just happens to be Rockwell Collins management,” said Jilek. “Common incredible piece of software that is that’s providing the products they hardware components also enabling us to deliver direct blows to demand.” will provide the SOF with lower the enemy.” It’s these efforts to make our lifecycle, technology insertion and Loaded in the cockpit of an MH-47G equipment better that has made a supportability costs.” Chinook, the Rockwell Collins CAAS noticeable difference to those flying In addition, the CAAS avionics system was recently deployed with these helicopters. components are especially important the 160th SOA Regiment (Airborne) in for these forces, since most of support of OEF where it achieved great their work is done during tough success. environmental conditions. “There are some brilliant “We weren’t sure if there would be “Oftentimes, these soldiers are minds working for this any issues with our equipment since flying 300 to 700 feet above ground company, and that it was our first deployment,” said and at 20 to 220 knots in hours of Rockwell Collins Field Service Engineer limited visibility. That’s how they got coupled with the no fail Monty Egan, who was embedded with the name, ‘Night Stalkers,’ ” said Russo. attitude makes my job very the 160th SOA Regiment (Airborne). “Our system tells them when to climb “But when we arrived, the crew began to clear ridge so they can continue pleasant.” flying immediately without any major to hide below eyesight or radar — Maj. Kevin Cochie issues. That says a lot about the sight, which enhances their ability to reliability of our products.” continue ruling the night.” According to DuWayne Jilek, “Pilots who once flew the legacy principal program manager for Scout, integrated avionics systems (IAS) and A give and take relationship Attack and Special Mission Programs To help ensure the right enhancements cockpit management systems (CMS) at Rockwell Collins, CAAS is just one and now fly the CAAS system would are being made to our CAAS SOA example of our company’s ongoing never go back, and I understand system, Jilek and Russo work closely efforts to produce and support why,” said Maj. Cochie. “There are with Maj. Cochie. customers with an open architecture some brilliant minds working for this “Our crews face very demanding system. mission profiles, the harshest terrain in company, and that coupled with the In fact, the Army’s Special Operations the world, and an asymmetric enemy no fail attitude makes my job very Forces (SOF) are at the forefront of pleasant.” ready to kill them, so we often have bringing a common, open architecture to go head-to-head on programmatic avionics system – which means it can issues,” said Cochie. “But at the end of Web extra: Learn more about one of our field be easily upgraded and maintained the day, everyone on both sides knows service engineers, who was embedded with without major changes to system these requirements are critical to the troops, in Horizons online at components – into the DoD for rotarymission success. It’s very much a give www.rockwellcollins.com/horizons. wing platforms. and take relationship, which is why I VOLUME 12 > ISSUE 5

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An ‘intelligent’ acquisition Learn about ITAC, our newly acquired company, and how its cutting-edge capabilities will help enhance our presence in the intelligence business. By Crystal Hardinger

W

hen members of the Rockwell Collins senior leadership team began looking for ways to move our Government Systems business from a product provider to a solutions provider in order to expand and enhance our customer offerings, they found an alignment with Information Technology & Applications Corporation (ITAC). An engineering and products company, ITAC focuses on the development of cutting-edge capabilities to aid warfighters in accessing and making use of near realtime geospatial intelligence and other mission-critical information. Their solutions – which support the global war on terror and homeland security – aided the U.S. National Guard following Hurricane Katrina, and also helped Special Forces coordinate the rescue of U.S. Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch in 2003. “We recognized ITAC’s value and they recognized our intent to use their capabilities to provide better solutions to the warfighters,” said Mark Phillips, a business manager for Rockwell Collins who was involved in the acquisition. “We don’t have a large presence in the intelligence business,

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Photo by Michael Stewart, Herndon, Va.

> Members of the former Information Technology & Applications Corporation (ITAC) in Reston, Va., are excited about bringing their cutting-edge technology to Rockwell Collins. Pictured with Rockwell Collins business manager Mark Phillips (middle) are (from left): Robert Garcia, Glenn Smith, Kerry Pollock and Maylie Garcia.

but we had interest in that area because we saw synergies with our existing technologies.” After a series of management meetings between company leaders, Rockwell Collins acquired ITAC – and about 80 employees in Reston, Va., Anaheim, Calif., and other U.S.

“The difference in this acquisition is that Rockwell Collins values its employees … I think that makes all the difference.” — Brad Jansz

locations – on Aug. 10, 2007. Rockwell Collins will manage these newly acquired capabilities within our Electronic Warfare and Signals

Intelligence (EW/SIGINT) business. The newly formed organization is now referred to as Rockwell Collins Intelligence Solutions. “Rockwell Collins gave us a name and a brand that will allow us to take advantage of the capabilities within ITAC that we couldn’t have done on our own,” said Michael Phipps, a former ITAC vice president. “It will help us get into areas we couldn’t get into as a small company.” Joining forces Brad Jansz, a project manager in Anaheim, Calif., who works primarily with near real-time video technologies for warfighters in the field, also sees the benefits of joining forces with a larger company. “As a small company, some of the disadvantages you have are lack of resources and lack of technical expertise,” said Jansz. “With a large

corporation, there are usually more resources and technical expertise to draw upon. “There are products right now that we’re working with that Rockwell Collins can either provide internally or help us acquire through teaming agreements with larger companies,” he continued. “That could be a huge benefit as far as extending our business because larger companies may not have taken us as seriously in the past.” While Jansz has been a part of ITAC for 12 years, he has worked under Phipps for nearly 23 years. Together, they’ve been through past acquisitions, which weren’t always pleasant for employees. “The difference in this acquisition is that Rockwell Collins values its employees,” said Jansz. “In one of our previous acquisitions, the company had their eye on the product and didn’t consider the employees. I think that makes all the difference.” An exciting vision Phillips, who is now working out of Reston, Va., as the business manager for Rockwell Collins Intelligence Solutions, was immediately impressed with ITAC employees’ talent, level of experience and their ability to bring new solutions to the marketplace. He also could see how their expertise in processing and disseminating intelligence to provide situational awareness could help Government Systems move from a product provider to a solutions provider. “ITAC takes raw intelligence data, processes that data, uses it, and disseminates it to the tactical edge warfighters,” said Phillips. “They provide niche, turnkey solutions while Rockwell Collins, for the most part, provides parts of systems solutions.” According to Larry Rexford, director of our EW/SIGINT business in Richardson, Texas, the acquisition will

specifically help his area move from a product provider to a network-enabled electronic warfare solutions provider to the tactical edge. “What this means is that our growth strategy is centered on providing the warfighter with capabilities and not just products. Near real-time situational awareness in today’s environment is a tactical requirement,”

While integrating ITAC employees into the Rockwell Collins family is challenging, Phipps believes it’s really the way to successfully merge capabilities. Other leaders like Phillips also understand that with growth, there will be change. However, he believes the overall culture of ITAC will be maintained, which is important to Jansz and other ITAC employees.

Photo by Laurel Hungerford, Santa Ana, Calif.

> Brad Jansz, a project manager for the newly formed Rockwell Collins Intelligence Solutions organization in Anaheim, Calif., works primarily with near real-time video technologies for warfighters in the field. Jansz joined our company via our recent acquisition of the former Information Technology & Applications Corporation (ITAC).

said Rexford. “We have a vision, and ITAC employees are an important part of that vision.” Passionate about growth According to Phipps, our company’s vision for the EW/SIGINT business area is what caught the attention of ITAC executives as they considered potential buyers for their company. “The people we spoke with from Rockwell Collins had a vision that was consistent with where we wanted to head as a company,” said Phipps. “I do believe that of all the companies we talked to, this is the best fit.”

“Everybody works well together here – communication is good, environment is good - it’s just a fun place to work,” said Jansz. “A lot of the projects we have done are very technically challenging, very cutting-edge. There may be obstacles to overcome, but our leaders seem to have a long-range plan they’re working towards, and I think it will work.”

Web extra: Learn more about how products from our newly acquired company are used in Horizons online at www.rockwellcollins. com/horizons.

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Running across different cultures How do six Rockwell Collins employees from France learn about Chinese culture and the country’s ever-changing terrain? They participate in ‘The Silk Road Race.’ By Marielle Rodeheffer

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alking 93 miles (150 kilometers) on foot, through changing climates and rugged terrain, is not how most people would want to spend their summer vacations. But Christian Godfroy and six of his colleagues at Rockwell Collins in Blagnac, France, did exactly that. Dubbed “Marcher-Courir Oxygène Attitude,” the team entered “The Silk Road Race” – one of the biggest crosscountry races in the world – and spent 15 days in August racing through an ever-changing landscape that began in Xi’an, China, and ended in Beijing. “We got a view of China that was very different than the one we see on TV or in the media,” said Godfroy, a senior systems engineer who joined our company in December of 1989. “The landscape was very beautiful … maybe the most beautiful we’ve ever seen.” Creating interest Sponsored by several organizations including Eurocopter – one of our company’s key customers – and organized by the Sport Development and Performance Organization of France, the race takes runners on a path inspired by the 2000-year-old Silk Road, a transcontinental trade route that linked the Roman Empire in the West with China in the East. An avid runner, Godfroy decided about two years ago that he wanted to compete in a race unlike any of those in which he had previously participated. Six of his colleagues – Stephane Dupuy, Christophe Marco, Laurence Arnault, Marie-Christine Batistan, Gérard Oliva and Jean-Daniel Hatem – agreed. 10

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Photo courtesy of Christian Godfroy

> Employees from Rockwell Collins France experienced Chinese culture and the country’s ever-changing terrain during one of the world’s largest cross-country races. Pictured in front of the Great Wall of China are: (from left) Christian Godfroy, Gérard Oliva, Laurence Arnault, Marie-Christine Batistan, Stephane Dupuy, and Christophe Marco. Jean-Daniel Hatem is standing behind Arnault and Batistan.

“I wanted to plan something very exceptional,” said Godfroy, who organized the running club at our facility in France about five years ago. “I thought China would be a good place to explore. Our company has locations there, and China is growing a lot economically. I wanted to learn more about it.” After seeing an advertisement for the race in one of his running magazines, Godfroy began creating interest among the 80-plus members of the running club. He also knew he had to secure a budget, which meant finding individuals and/or companies willing to sponsor the team. “This race isn’t one you could complete in an hour,” said Godfroy, who spent 1-1/2 years looking for colleagues to assist with different

aspects of the event such as logistics, physical and nutritional preparation, and financing. “It was a 15-day race in a foreign country, and that required a lot of planning.” Securing sponsorship As an initiative that enhanced cultural diversity, health and wellness, and communication among our employees, members of the management team and staff council at Rockwell Collins France determined it was an event worthy of company involvement and funding. In addition to company sponsorship, Godfroy also managed to secure funds from two local businesses, Crestey Energie Renouvelable and Airod Technologies, and the city of Blagnac. “Finding sponsors was indeed the

most difficult aspect of organizing the event,” said Godfroy. “The remainder of the money needed that was not donated through our company or the sponsorships was raised by the race participants themselves.” With sponsors finally in place, team members knew they had to begin preparing for the event physically. After three months of training and participation in local races around Toulouse, France, the seven team members set out for China. Upon landing in Xi’an, the team was first introduced to colleagues Betty Zhang and Martin Lin, who work at Rockwell Collins in Beijing, China. Zhang helped organize the event, and Lin is managing director of Business Development for Rockwell Collins in China. “We were honored to be able to host our colleagues from Rockwell Collins France and to assist with their discovery of our country,” said Zhang. “As a Chinese resident and Rockwell Collins employee, I am proud that our country has generated such enthusiasm and interest among the world population.” Godfroy agreed. “We were very touched by the meeting with our Chinese colleagues,” he said. “Crosscountry racing is one way to create cultural exchanges and establish relationships, and we were fortunate

Photos courtesy of Christian Godfroy, Blagnac, France

> Participants in ‘The Silk Road Race’ across China endured several sand dunes, some rising almost 400 feet along Lake Qinghai.

to have this opportunity.” Taming the sand dunes Divided into 11 stages of 2 to 13 miles each (3 to 20 kilometers), the race led runners through some of China’s most beautiful landscapes. Each stage began with a ceremony of traditional Chinese dances and songs. And, each afternoon following completion of that day’s stage, participants had the opportunity to visit some of China’s most notable attractions. The route traversed through Xi’an, where participants saw the Terracotta Warriors, which are a collection of 8,099 life-size Chinese

> Rockwell Collins China Business Development Director Martin Lin (left) exchanges business cards with Christian Godfroy, a senior systems engineer at Rockwell Collins in France, prior to ‘The Silk Road Race’ award ceremony. Rockwell Collins France claimed the second place prize.

terra cotta figures of warriors and horses. Participants also ran past the Forbidden City, which was the Chinese imperial palace from the midMing Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty, and they even ran a time trial along the Great Wall of China. Godfroy’s favorite but most difficult stage of the race took him through sand dunes rising almost 400 feet along Lake Qinghai, which is the most salted lake in China. Running at an altitude of nearly 10,500 feet in harsh weather conditions – including hail and strong winds that “burned your eyes” – it took Godfroy 3 hours and 35 minutes to complete the 13-mile race. “From the top of the dunes, I could see the lake’s fantastic colors,” said Godfroy. “We ran up and down 20 dunes, and I was proud to have tamed the dunes and sand.” An award-winning finish Rockwell Collins team “Marcher-Courir Oxygène Attitude” finished the race on Aug. 15 and claimed the second place trophy, which was presented during an awards ceremony in Beijing on Aug. 16. Joining the team in Beijing were Zhang and Lin, Rockwell Collins France Managing Director Jack Barbieux, the chief executive office officer of Eurocopter China, and the Attaché of the French Embassy in Beijing. “I am really proud of this team,” said Barbieux. “After having set a common goal, they have demonstrated courage, passion, and teamwork. By pushing their frontiers, they have achieved both individual and collective goals, and fully illustrated the Rockwell Collins spirit.” – Marielle Rodeheffer is an intern in Enterprise Communications at Rockwell Collins. She is a recent graduate of Grand Valley State University (BS) in Allendale, Mich., and Ball State University (MA) in Muncie, Ind. Rockwell Collins China intern Kevin Liao also contributed to this article.

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Sterling employees go the distance at plane pull event

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ockwell Collins Simulation & Training Solutions (STS) employees in Sterling, Va., proved there is more than one way to move an aircraft recently, by participating in the 15th Annual Dulles Day Family Festival and Plane Pull. Sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority Police Department, this summertime event raises money and awareness for the Special Olympics of Virginia. Held for the first time in 1992 at Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Va., the plane pull is a highlyanticipated event in which teams compete to determine who can best pull a 737 cargo jet a distance of 12 feet. This year, for the first time ever, our facility in Sterling donated $1,000 and sent a team of 20 participants to take part in the competition. “This event is a major fundraiser for the Special Olympics of Virginia, so it was very upbeat,” said Dan Dillon, director of Manufacturing Operations in Sterling, and also a plane pull participant. “Special Olympics is a cause that people do not have trouble supporting.”

Photo courtesy of Justin Maddox, Sterling, Va.

> Rockwell Collins Simulation & Training Solutions in Sterling, Va., participated in the 15th Annual Dulles Day Family Festival and Plane Pull. The team (pictured above) pulled a cargo jet a distance of 12 feet.

On a very hot and sunny day, the Rockwell Collins STS team pulled the 150,000-pound airplane the designated distance in a very respectable time of less than 10 seconds. The repeat champion, a law enforcement team from Chesapeake, Va., weighing in at nearly 6,000 pounds, won the event with a time of

a little over 6 seconds. According to Stephanie Smith, Human Resources manager for the East Region, and also a plane pull team member, the event was one that not only raised money for a worthy cause, but also taught the true value of teamwork.

Ice cream served to Melbourne employees for a job well done

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ce cream was the order of the day for Rockwell Collins employees in Melbourne, Fla., after the facility was notified that it exceeded the 2007 Hands Across America campaign goal by an impressive $4,000. This year, 773 employees took part in the campaign. Those who had participated in previous years were encouraged to raise their donations by 25 cents, and new contributors were asked to donate at least $1 each week. In the end, the facility raised a total of $109,000. “The money raised goes back into

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HORIZONS > 2007

our community, and there have been many times when our family members and friends have needed the services provided by United Way,” said Gail Goldstein, a senior administrative assistant in Melbourne. “It’s nice to know that we have helped in some way.” Prizes such as theme park tickets, digital cameras, DVD players, a fishing trip, and a golf outing were awarded to various employees for helping the facility accomplish this goal. “Our employees really enjoyed having the members of our senior

management team serve them ice cream,” said Peggy Ritter, senior Human Resources coordinator. “It was a really nice way for our company to say thanks, but I think our employees were even more pleased just knowing that their money was going to a worthy cause.”



Web extra: Learn more about activities at Rockwell Collins locations around the world in Horizons online at www.rockwellcollins.com/horizons.

Rockwell Collins Service Anniversaries Rockwell Collins offers congratulations and thanks to these employees who have marked significant service award milestones. 45 YEARS

35 YEARS

September Raymond C. Busness

September Teresa K. Barnhart Marsha A. Heidt Charlene M. Jaeger Sharon B. Jeffries Ronald E. Lacoste Alain Lefevre Kathleen A. Mizner Susan G. Rudd Marjorie R. Sand Joyce H. Stepanek Susan A. Thomas John A. Weaver Sherry L. Wolfe

October James R. Rathjens

40 YEARS September George Adams Jr. Carl R. Fields Bob E. Johnson John S. Joseph Shirley K. Kemp Byron E. Nellans Carl G. Raap Ida M. Saxton Teresa A. Staab Dale W. Strand Linda L. Young October Jerry L. Cerny David L. Fitch

October Michael J. Allen Janet L. Benish Al Benning Jean-Pierre Biaggi Catherine M. Boyer Norman N. Brittingham Jo Ann M. Buck LuAnn L. DeMoss

A quantum leap in technology (continued from Page 5)

Demonstrating vision, commitment New algorithms developed on these flight tests will help our engineers perfect the geographic smarts the automatic radar needs to provide the best performance regardless of the region. The improvements will be done by the time the first Boeing 787 enters service next year with the radar as standard equipment. Those same improvements also are being rolled into a new product that was announced in late September – RTA4100 MultiScanTM weather radar for business jets. “Rockwell Collins has demonstrated

Jean Duveau Patricia S. Hanson Donald P. Havens Virginia J. Hayes Carol M. Hepner Dewayne E. Hindman Vallerie A. Jannie Pamela S. Kramer Geraldine S. Lemon Glenn D. Light Patricia K. Merrifield Donald F. Moriarty Marcia A. Moyle Kathryn J. Mull Marcia K. Sedlacek Twila R. Soden Allen E. Tupker Denna K. Vanourny Charles A. Wilson

30 YEARS September Larry F. Eveland Mary A. Fielder Kent T. Gaynor

Timothy D. Johnson Essie B. Kemp Dean J. Konrad Colette Larrey- Chambert Chirsta L. Martin Dorine K. McKay Robert A. Pierce Deborah L. Reed Mary I. Reilly Dean L. Roggow Larry R. Scott Karmen K. Smith Aiphuong T. Tran Jeffrey W. Weimer Elaine L. Winberg John D. Zahari October Margaret A. Bishop Steven R. Brown Paul A. Castro Charles B. Conner II Ernie M. Gabriel David A. Griffey Rosie L. Hagans Barbara J. Harrison

a clear vision and commitment to continually evolve and improve its weather radar product,” said Capt. Oliver, who has been with Qantas for 27 years. “Their engineers have been receptive to user input, and have taken that input and designed a system that meets the requirements of operators around the world.” According to Kelly Ortberg, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Commercial Systems, his decision to allow this series of flight tests will undoubtedly result in a return on investment for our company. He also hopes it sends a message to the more than 19,000 people who work at Rockwell Collins. “I hear a lot of our employees say that management isn’t willing to

David M. House Joseph F. Knight David F. Little Wayne J. Lukes Thomas W. Mangrich Lieu L. Nguyen Sherry J. O’Connor Linda J. Rabik Angela L. Roemig Anna L. Ryan Sandra K. Scaia Denise K. Silagi Timothy A. Stevens Fred J. Studenberg Jr. Sterling A. Warner Melanie A. Williams Steven P. Womack Madonna M. Zimmerman



25 YEARS September Judith A. Leavitt Bernardo Martinez Deborah L. Morrissey Darla M. Rave Richard A. Scalise Michael P. Smith October Mark A. Blomberg Mary J. Classon Michelle H. Du Nancy P. Holt Annie Khoun Ton D. Kieu Jacquelyn M. Seals

Web extra: Rockwell Collins employees celebrating 20 years of service or less are now recognized in Horizons online at www.rockwellcollins.com/horizons.

spend money and nobody listens to us. Here’s a case that’s quite the opposite,” said Ortberg. “We listened intently to our employees when they came to us with a problem that they didn’t create, but were trying hard to resolve. In the end, we made quite a large investment and we did what needed to be done to ensure we have the best possible product performance.”



Web extra: For more information about Rockwell Collins MultiScanTM Hazard Detection System, visit http://www.rockwell collins.com/news/background/page7614. html. For information about our RTA-4100 MultiScanTM weather radar, visit http://www. rockwellcollins.com/news/page9544.html.

VOLUME 12 > ISSUE 5

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Orlando employees working together under one roof By Dayna Teakell

Rockwell Collins Simulation & Training Solutions Visual Programs employees in Orlando, Fla., joined forces under one roof earlier this year. Previously housed in two separate facilities, employees are now situated in an 18,378-square-foot building nestled in an area commonly referred to as “Innovation Way.” Rockwell Collins gained two facilities in Orlando via the acquisition of the former NLX in December 2003 and the simulation assets of Evans & Sutherland in May 2006. A leading provider of visual simulation solutions for military and commercial customers, Evans & Sutherland offered a complete line of visual simulation solutions designed to meet the demanding requirements of military training. In addition, the company was the world’s leading supplier of visual systems for flight simulators used to train commercial airline pilots. The former NLX, known today as

Photo by Kristen Bartlett, Gainesville, Fla.

> Employees at Rockwell Collins Simulation & Training Solutions in Orlando, Fla., are housed in a new, 18,378-square-foot building nestled in an area referred to as ‘Innovation Way.’

Rockwell Collins Simulation & Training Solutions (STS), was an internationally recognized provider of simulation and training systems and related services. Key products included Weapons Systems Trainers, Full Flight Simulators, Ground Vehicle Simulators, Part Task Trainers, Maintenance Trainers, and related support services. Instead of maintaining two separate facilities in Orlando, each with similar capabilities, senior leaders late last year decided to combine the operations of each business into one location. The building now houses our Visual Programs group, which designs and

Rockwell Collins, Inc. 400 Collins Road N.E. Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52498-0001

builds simulation image generators and visual databases, and our Army Programs group, which provides simulators, training hardware and software, and logistical product support primarily for U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF). — Dayna Teakell was a summer intern in Enterprise Communications at Rockwell Collins. She is now a senior at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Web extra: Continue reading about Rockwell Collins Simulation & Training Solutions in Orlando, Fla., in Horizons online at www. rockwellcollins.com/horizons.

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