A U.S. Army UH-60L Black hawk Helicopter flies a low-level mission over Iraq during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Photo: U.S. Air Force
A Rogerson Kratos-modified Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk recently made its first flight. This is the first full digital cockpit modernization upgrade of a Sikorsky UH-60A to fly, Rogerson Kratos says.
”This first flight is an important day for all Black Hawk model A & L operators since they now are able to extend the life and mission of the aircraft,” says Michael Rogerson, company CEO. ”Our many years and flight hours of providing avionics for the twin-engine helicopter industry includes a significant number of important industry firsts, such as certifying the industry’s first flat panel primary flight display [electronic flight instrument system] and [engine-indicating and crew-alerting system] in a helicopter. This Black Hawk application is the culmination of all that experience.”
More than 2,000 Sikorsky Black Hawks and variants are currently flying with analog cockpits, Rogerson Kratos notes. This includes U.S. military services, many U.S. government agencies and more than 25 other countries. The company’s new digital solution is fully compliant with FAA and EASA NextGen requirements. Cockpit upgrade deliveries are set to start this year. And Sikorsky UH-60A and L operators worldwide can upgrade in-country or acquire reset Sikorsky UH-60As with the new technology, thanks to open architecture.
Rogerson Kratos offers a modernized cockpit upgrade that replicates the UH-60M pilot vehicle interface thereby enhancing training and interoperability. Due to open architecture, current worldwide UH-60A and L operators may upgrade in-country, or acquire reset UH-60 Model A helicopters with digital cockpit modernization already installed.
Legacy Sikorsky Black Hawk operators can fly with “smart” multi-function displays with the digital Rogerson Kratos solution. The displays can operate in a wide temperature environment and have an extra wide-range viewing angle for cross-cockpit viewing. They are also fully compliant with current night vision imaging system standards and other critical information and navigation requirements. Other features include 3-D digital mapping, advanced hover symbology, integrated forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and embedded maintenance pages.