Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems (ACSS) and US-based aircraft service provider Duncan Aviation will develop a new automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) transponder for aircraft surveillance.

Along with the FAA, the partnership will also seek to develop an approved model list (AML) supplemental type certificate (STC) by the last quarter of this year.

The NXT-700 is a Mode S transponder to be designed in compliance with the DO-260B mandate for ADS-B and the AML STC.

The new NXT-700 will include various aircraft models such as Beechcraft Hawker 125-400, 600 and 700; Gulfstream IIB, III and V; Textron Aviation CitationJet, Ultra, V, VII and 550; Bombardier CL-6013A and 3R and others.

"Legacy aircraft operators need avionics equipment that meets the NextGen ADS-B mandates."

Duncan Aviation regional avionics sales manager Mark Francetic said: "Legacy aircraft operators need avionics equipment that meets the NextGen ADS-B mandates.

"We’re pleased to lead the industry in offering the ACSS NXT-700 transponder, which complies with these requirements for so many legacy models."

Once developed, the NXT-700 will save owner and operators costs and downtime as it is form-fit compatible with existing retrofit traffic collision avoidance system II (TCAS II) 7.1 systems and could be able to use the current mounting rack and connectors for a quick installation.

The new ADS-B transponder does not require change in the existing cockpit configurations.

After developing the AML STC with FAA, the partnership will seek to receive Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval for NXT-700.

Duncan Aviation currently has access to 35 solutions for ADS-B, which helps the company to offer upgrades on 100 aircraft models.

The company also has access to FANS solutions for 17 aircraft models.

A joint venture between L-3 and Thales, ACSS is a division of L-3 Aviation Products (L-3 AP) and provides commercial and military avionics.