The FAA has awarded a Technical Standard Order (TSO) approval to an AlliedSignal Airbourne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS II), the CAS 81A. The system is designed for full-size transport aircraft and large business jets and is said to satisfy the requirements of new mandates in Europe and elsewhere. "We are pleased that AlliedSignal Aerospace is the first avionics company to certify ACAS II for both air transport and general aviation aircraft," said Frank Daly, president, AlliedSignal Aerospace Avionics and Lighting. TSO approval authorises the company to manufacture the product and clears the way for individual certifications in specific aircraft models.\rACAS II is a derivative of the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS II), which has been required for all aircraft carrying more than 30 passengers in US airspace. In Europe, aircraft with more than 30 passenger seats or 15,000 kg take-off weight must have ACAS II installed and certified by January 1, 2000, or March 31, 2001 if they obtain a waiver, says the avionics manufacturer. Additional nations mandating ACAS II include India, Argentina, Australia, Japan and Oman. Business aircraft operators are not required to install collision avoidance equipment until the European mandate in 2005, says AlliedSignal, however, many have done so voluntarily and virtually all new business jets are delivered with the equipment in place.\rThe new ACAS II system incorporates enhanced software, which reduces nuisance alerts, and will decrease radio frequency congestion by reducing the number of transmissions while also providing pilots easier-to-understand voice massages and display symbols. Upgrade kits became available from AlliedSignal Aerospace in August for current TCAS II systems.