Garmin unveils new distance measuring equipment for aircraft

OLATHE, Kan. - Garmin International (NYSE:GRMN), the $41.6 billion market cap technology company with a "GREAT" financial health rating according to InvestingPro, announced on Wednesday two new distance measuring equipment (DME) products designed to modernize navigation capabilities for various aircraft types.

The GDM 4500 and GDM 450R are digital remote-mount DME radios that provide slant-distance information on compatible Garmin flight decks and displays. The GDM 450R is targeted at Part 23 general aviation aircraft, while the GDM 4500 features additional environmental hardening for turbine aircraft and helicopters.

Both products allow pilots to track two separate DME stations simultaneously, with compatible Garmin avionics able to automatically scan up to three additional DME frequencies. This multi-channel capability supports DME-DME Area Navigation (RNAV), using distance calculations from multiple ground stations to determine aircraft position. The company’s continued innovation has helped drive impressive 18% revenue growth over the last twelve months, while maintaining strong gross profit margins of nearly 59%.

"Given the increased interest among aircraft owners for alternative navigation sources, we are excited to now offer a ground-based DME solution," said Carl Wolf, Garmin Vice President of Aviation Sales, Marketing, Programs & Support, in the press release.

The GDM 450R displays distance information on select Garmin integrated flight decks and TXi flight displays, while maintaining compatibility with legacy distance indicators and navigation radios through databus connections.

The GDM 4500, designed for more demanding environments, meets higher qualification standards and supports ARINC 429 for compatibility with select third-party systems.

Both products are expected to be available in the third quarter of 2025, according to the company statement.

The new DME solutions represent Garmin’s continued expansion in aviation navigation technology, offering aircraft owners options to replace aging DME equipment with modern alternatives that integrate with current avionics systems. With a robust balance sheet showing more cash than debt and 12 additional key insights available on InvestingPro, Garmin appears well-positioned to continue its market leadership in aviation technology.

In other recent news, Garmin reported its first-quarter earnings, revealing adjusted earnings per share of $1.61, which fell short of the $1.64 expected by analysts. However, the company exceeded revenue expectations by reporting $1.54 billion, surpassing the anticipated $1.51 billion and marking an 11% year-over-year growth. For the full year 2025, Garmin forecasts earnings per share of $7.80, which is below the $7.92 expected by analysts, while projecting revenue to reach $6.85 billion, slightly above the consensus estimate of $6.83 billion. In addition, Garmin announced a cash dividend of $3.60 per share, to be distributed in four equal installments starting June 2025.

Meanwhile, Garmin introduced the G5000 PRIME integrated flight deck for Part 25 transport aircraft, featuring advanced touchscreen technology and enhanced connectivity. This new system includes safety features such as Runway Occupancy Awareness and Emergency Descent Mode, along with improved processing power and connectivity speeds. Garmin has not disclosed which aircraft manufacturers will adopt the G5000 PRIME in their products. These developments reflect Garmin’s ongoing efforts to innovate and expand its product offerings across various sectors.

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