Northrop Grumman to upgrade US Army UH-60L cockpit
Northrop Grumman will conduct work to modernise the cockpit of the US Army’s UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters under a contract announced on 15 August.
The contract will see Northrop Grumman supply and integrate a scalable mission avionics equipment package for a digital cockpit upgrade on 700 to 900 aircraft in the army’s fleet; and replace older analogue gauges with digital electronic instrument displays.
The new designation for this upgraded aircraft will be UH-60V. The system virtually replicates the newer UH-60M pilot-vehicle interface, providing a common training environment.
Northrop Grumman's solution features a centralised processor with a partitioned, modular operational flight programme with an integrated architecture that enables new capabilities through software-only solutions rather than hardware additions. The system is smaller in size, lower in weight and requires less power than legacy processing systems.
The avionics system is aligned with the Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE) standard and supports integration of off-the-shelf software and hardware, allowing the system to keep pace with new capability requirements.
The solution has already undergone flight test demonstrations on a UH-60L helicopter.
Ike Song, vice president, situational awareness systems, Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, said: ‘We are committed to this critical upgrade programme that will prolong the life of the UH-60 while keeping warfighters safer by enhancing their situational awareness. Our integrated mission avionics solution is built on mature, proven technology and an open architecture approach for superior performance, affordability, growth potential and reliability.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine]()
Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
-
![Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook]()
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
