Olathe, Kansas – Garmin of Olathe, Kan., announced an expansion of its GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar with an automatic mode for viewing and control via the GTN Xi navigator and TXi flight display. This approval expands the possibilities for the interface beyond his previously approved Garmin integrated flight deck. The GWX 8000 eliminates the need for manual radar adjustments, simplifying operation. 3D volumetric scanning capability reduces pilot workload and enhances weather visualization with four times more color than traditional weather radars. It also provides hail and lightning prediction, turbulence detection, and advanced ground clutter suppression capabilities.
The GWX 8000 features StormOptix, an advanced automation technology that allows weather radar to be activated during flight without the need for manual configuration. StormOptix Auto Mode combines 3D volume scanning with advanced ground clutter suppression to automatically adjust radar tilt and gain to the most representative weather depiction near the aircraft's flight path.
The enhanced color palette provides better contouring with 16 colors, four times more than typical weather radars, to help pilots interpret the severity of storm cells. This palette increases safety by providing a clearer view of severe weather and simplifying navigation in difficult conditions.
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Other features of the GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar include turbulence detection, hail/lightning prediction, and Weather Attenuated Color Highlight (WATCH) technology to help pilots identify shadow effects. and highlight radar returns weakened by heavy precipitation, increasing safety. Overcoming weather threats. Garmin's products are available in 10-inch, 12-inch, and 14-inch models to accommodate a variety of aircraft configurations, and multiple antenna array sizes.
The GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar with automatic mode is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2024 on aircraft equipped with GTN Xi navigators and TXi flight displays. Aircraft equipped with GWX 75 weather radars can upgrade their systems to his GWX 8000 with software enhancements for GTN Xi and/or TXi series systems.
