Upgrade Addresses Obsolescence and Enhances Capabilities
Esterline Avionics Systems is to provide its CMC Electronics Integrated Helicopter Solutions – including the CMA-9000 flight management system (FMS) and MFD-3068 smart multi-function display – for the upgrade programme of the Bundeswehr’s CH-53GS/GE SEA STALLION helicopters. The upgrade will address obsolescence and enhance the helicopter’s capabilities by providing a flexible, modernised cockpit with improved civil navigation features.
The CMA-9000 is a field-proven, highly integrated and flexible solution optimised for helicopter operations and provides flight management and multi-sensor navigation throughout all phases of flight, radio management and many specialised functions that help reduce pilot workload during mission-critical applications such as search and rescue (SAR) and offshore operations. It supports both military and civil navigation modes and the integrated radio management system offers savings in terms of size, weight, power and cost. Night vision goggle capability enables night-time operations for police, SAR and emergency medical service operators, making the CMA-9000 suitable for a wide range of helicopter applications.
The third-generation MFD-3068 smart display is designed as an open architecture platform, featuring next- generation MOSArt (Modular Open System Architecture) middleware built with non-proprietary industry standards for the partitioning of applications and the latest in Multi-Core Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS). The display is complemented by Esterline-supplied software applications, customer supplied applications or both. With an optical quality second to none, the display offers true 8-bit colour rendition with optical performance stabilised over its design life-time and its extended operating temperature envelope. Its next-generation LED illumination system supports multi-mode operations.
“The German Armed Forces were looking for a cost-effective way to extend the life of their SEA STALLION fleet and we are delighted that the CH-53GS/GE helicopters will benefit from the extensive navigation and radio management capabilities of our CMA-9000 FMS as well as from our latest generation of smart multi-function displays. Our Integrated Helicopter Solutions are highly flexible, allowing for multiple levels of modernisation, from a minor upgrade to a full avionics suite. Our goal is to optimise situational awareness for our commercial and military customers and ensure their mission success,” Michael Potvin, President of Esterline Avionics Systems, explained.
Tim Mahon
