This document sets forth the desired characteristics of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Navigation Unit (GNU) intended for installation in all types of aircraft. The intent of this document is to provide general and specific guidance for the development and installation of GNU equipment intended for airline use. This Characteristic describes the desired operational capability of the equipment, and the standards necessary to ensure GNU interchangeability.

Equipment manufacturers should note that this document aims to encourage them to produce maintenance-free, high performance equipment rather than that of minimum weight and size. They are at liberty to accomplish this objective by any means they consider to be the most appropriate, as their airline customers are interested primarily in the end result rather than the means employed to achieve it.

The ICAO Future Air Navigation System (FANS) Standards And Recommended Practices (SARPs) for Communications, Navigation, Surveillance and Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) are currently evolving and are expected to continue to evolve over the next several years. The requirements included in this document represent the CNS/ATM related functions, anticipated at the time of this writing which should be supported by the ARINC 760 GNU.