IFR-Capable Flight Management System for BLACK HAWK
Universal Avionics, in partnership with the US Army Aviation and Missile Research Engineering Development Center (AMRDEC) Prototype Integration Facility and prime contractor Redstone Defense Systems, has integrated an IFR-capable Flight Management System (FMS) for the Army’s HH/UH-60L/M BLACK HAWK Federated Advanced Navigation System (FANS) programme. This meets the requirement to integrate a COTS, FAA certified navigational system for the incorporation of Required Navigation Performance Area Navigation (RNP/RNAV) and Global Position System RNAV (GPS/RNAV) requirements. To meet the GPS/RNAV requirement, H-60 aircraft will be fitted with a single UNS FMS with 4-inch Flat Panel Control Display Unit (FPCDU).
“Our COTS FMSs facilitate the integration of a solution that allows the BLACK HAWK to retain all of its mission-critical avionics equipment, while adding new operational capabilities,” explained the company’s Senior Manager, Government Business Development, Bob Sanchez. “Universal’s solution also meets precision navigation mandates that are critical to aircrew safety [….] To support the unique missions of the BLACK HAWK, we are providing night vision goggle-compatible variants.”