Garmin : unveils new Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) solutions for aircraft

Published: 2025-07-16 06:52:07 ET GRMN

Published on 07/16/2025 at 06:52

OLATHE, Kan./July 16, 2025/PR Newswire - Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) today announced its new distance measuring equipment (DME) products - the GDM 4500 and GDM 450R. These digital, state-of-the-art, remote-mount DME radios are designed to provide slant-distance information on select Garmin flight decks and displays. Both products can allow pilots to track two separate DME's simultaneously. Compatible Garmin avionics can also automatically scan up to three additional DME frequencies1. The GDM 450R is designed for Part 23 general aviation aircraft, while the GDM 4500 includes additional environmental hardening and interfaces for turbine aircraft and helicopters. Either product offers a cost-effective way to add or upgrade DME capabilities on many popular aircraft.

"Given the increased interest among aircraft owners for alternative navigation sources, we are excited to now offer a ground-based DME solution. While DME technology has been available for decades, these new Garmin solutions will help modernize the capabilities on many aircraft, and we look forward to seeing pilots leverage these features around the world."

-Carl Wolf, Garmin Vice President of Aviation Sales, Marketing, Programs & Support

GDM 450R for Part 23 General Aviation aircraft

The GDM 450R can display distance information on select Garmin integrated flight decks, as well as TXi™ flight displays. Up to two separate DME frequencies can be tuned by the pilot via the navigation radios, providing slant-range distance relative to DME ground stations. For additional flexibility, the DME hold capability maintains the active DME distance indication when tuning the associated NAV radio to a different frequency. With an optional enablement, compatible Garmin avionics can automatically scan and tune up to three additional DME frequencies. Pilots can leverage this multi-channel capability for DME-DME Area Navigation (RNAV), using distance calculations from two or more DME ground stations to determine the aircraft's position for RNAV routes1. Additionally, the Free Scan Capability1 allows the system to search for DMEs in range. For integration with legacy distance indicators and navigation radios, GDM 450R also supports legacy databus connections.

GDM 4500 for turbine aircraft and helicopters

Designed specifically for turbine aircraft and helicopters, the GDM 4500 meets higher qualification levels and is environmentally hardened. Along with Garmin integrated flight decks and TXi displays, it is also compatible with select third party systems, enabled by ARINC 429 support. The Free Scan capability and DME-DME navigation capability come standard with the GDM 4500 as supported by compatible FMS.

The GDM 4500 and GDM 450R DME radios are expected to be available in Q3 2025. For additional information, visit https://www.garmin.com/aviation.

Garmin products and services have revolutionized flight and become essential to the lives of pilots and aircraft owners and operators around the world. A leading provider of solutions to general aviation, business aviation, rotorcraft, advanced air mobility, government and defense, and commercial air carrier customers, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate. Recipient of the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy for Garmin Autoland, Garmin developed the world's first certified autonomous system that activates during an emergency to control and land an aircraft without human intervention. Visit the Garmin Newsroom, email our media team, connect with @garminaviation on social, or follow our blog.

1Requires a compatible Garmin system; feature availability varies by product. Enablement required for GDM 450R.

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Disclaimer

Garmin Ltd. published this content on July 16, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 16, 2025 at 10:51 UTC.