Final answer:
The Flight Management System for the Boeing E-7 comprises the Flight Management Computer, the Autopilot/Flight Director system, navigation and sensor systems, and interfaces with other avionics systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Flight Management System (FMS) for the Boeing E-7, which is a military airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. The FMS is a specialized computer system that automates a wide variety of in-flight tasks, enhancing the aircraft's efficiency and reducing the crew's workload. Its primary components include the Flight Management Computer (FMC), the Autopilot/Flight Director system, and the navigation and sensor systems.
The Flight Management Computer is at the heart of the FMS and is responsible for flight planning, navigation, and guidance. It processes a database of navigational information and manages the flight plan, including waypoints, airways, and procedures for departures, arrivals, and approaches. The Autopilot/Flight Director system takes input from the FMC and allows the aircraft to fly on a specific flight path or heading without the need for manual control by the pilots.
Other components of the FMS include the navigation and sensor systems, such as Global Positioning System (GPS), Inertial Navigation System (INS), Air Data Computers (ADCs), and Radar altimeters, which provide vital information for the FMC to calculate the aircraft's position and altitude accurately.
Moreover, the FMS interfaces with various other avionics systems such as the communication systems, traffic collision avoidance (TCAS), and weather radar to provide pilots with a comprehensive suite of tools that ensure the safety and efficiency of flight operations. Modern FMS systems offer graphical displays and touch-screen interfaces for ease of use and increased situational awareness.