Air traffic management demonstration in Xi'an, China, could open new era for Pacific air travel.

SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 6, 1996--Rockwell International Corporation (NYSE:ROK) today announced that it will lead a multinational, multicompany team to conduct a first-of-its-kind satellite-based air traffic management (ATM) demonstration in Xi'an, China, March 17-19, 1996, under the auspices of the Northwest Region of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

This system would enhance safety and increase air traffic capacity. In addition, it will also save time and fuel.

``The cooperative efforts between Rockwell and its team members have been tremendous and we are looking forward to a first-class demonstration in China,'' said John McLuckey, president and chief operating officer of Rockwell Aerospace and Defense. ``This demonstration will show how a satellite-based system can provide a real solution to China's current air traffic needs, and Rockwell is excited to be leading this effort.''

In a recent policy statement, the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China confirmed its recognition of the communications, navigation, surveillance/air traffic management (CNS/ATM) concept based on satellite technology, and the need to implement this technology in a globally coordinated manner. New overflight routes to and from Europe have opened the western region of China for greater development, which makes it a natural selection as the first region to implement the new satellite-based technology.

The Xi'an demonstration will be led by Rockwell's Communication Systems Division (CSD), located in Richardson, Texas, and its Chinese partner, the Research Institute of Navigation Technology. Chinese specialists will be operating the system in the Xi'an Air Traffic Control Facility, which is located 800 km southwest of Beijing. Xi'an, China's oldest capital city, will lead the way for China's new aviation infrastructure development.

The main system components include a differential GPS ground station (DGPS), a Rockwell-developed communications subsystem that integrates various data links, air traffic control (ATC) controller workstations, an airport surface traffic surveillance subsystem, and multiple airborne subsystems. In addition to Rockwell CSD, team members include the Chinese Research Institute of Navigation Technology, Westinghouse Electronic Systems, Societe Internationale de Telecommunications Aeronautiques (SITA), Daimler-Benz Aerospace (DASA), and several other divisions of Rockwell. Rockwell CSD will be providing the system engineering and integration management and their communication asset management control module. Westinghouse Electronic Systems will provide the controller workstation, radar and flight automation, and geographic mapping software. DASA will provide the differential ground station and SITA will provide connectivity for the SATCOM and ground communications networks. Rockwell Collins Commercial Avionics (CCA) will provide the avionics pallets, and Rockwell Autonetics will provide the airport surface traffic automation system.

Rockwell has been active in China since the mid-1970s and has operated a corporate office in Beijing since 1985. Rockwell CCA, a world leader in avionics technology, is a major supplier of avionics equipment to China's regional, domestic, and international airlines. Collins AVSAT product line provides satellite-based precision navigation and communication for all phases of flight.

In addition to the Rockwell Communication Systems Division, a number of other Rockwell businesses are actively pursuing business opportunities in China. Rockwell Land Transportation Electronics (LTE) Division has signed an agreement with the China Academy of Railway Sciences to perform a cooperative demonstration of Rockwell's data communication and GPS products. The demonstration will be conducted in Beijing during April 1996, and will show the benefits real-time data communications can provide to the Chinese railway industry. Other Rockwell businesses including Automation, Automotive, and Aerospace are engaged in projects with Chinese industry.

Rockwell is a diversified, high-technology company holding leadership market positions in automation, avionics, aerospace, defense electronics, semiconductor systems, and automotive component systems, with annual worldwide sales of $13 billion.

CONTACT: Rockwell International Corporation, Richardson

Barb Gatti, 214/705-3675

Jo Bishop, 214/705-3703