Next-generation aircraft management system

Citation

(2006), "Next-generation aircraft management system", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 78 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2006.12778dad.004

Next-generation aircraft management system

Next-generation aircraft management system

Keywords: Management systems, Aircraft

CMC Electronics Inc. of Montreal, has been selected by Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. to provide its latest-generation open architecture aircraft management system (AMS) for the Canadian Forces CH148 Cyclone to be supplied by Sikorsky for the Canadian Maritime Helicopter Project (MHP). The planned fleet of 28 CH148 multi-role helicopters will be equipped with two CMC Electronics aircraft management systems per aircraft.

The CMC Electronics' AMS, known as the CMA-2082MH incorporates significant new architectural and processing advances. The open architecture and compact power PC chip-set will provide the CH148 Cyclone with the substantial processing power required for combat missions.

The PCI open system architecture will allow Sikorsky to easily implement full flight management system and communication management capability as well as to act as a controller for the search and weather radar, the IFF and the self-defence system. The CMA- 2082MH will also be integrated with the General Dynamics Canada mission system and the Rockwell-Collins multi- function displays aboard the CH148 Cyclone.

CMC's Jean-Michel Comtois, Vice President, military aviation, stated: “CMC Electronics has a significant share of the military helicopter and advanced turboprop trainer markets with its avionics systems. This award reconfirms CMC's position as a premier supplier of advanced technology cockpit products.”

Integrated Glass Cockpit

CMC Electronics recently demonstrate its Heli 4000 integrated Glass Cockpit at this year's Asian Aerospace show. Heli 4000 comprises CMC's FV-4000 open architecture mission computer, CMA-4000 flight and display management system, its family of multifunction displays and its HeliHawk overhead Head-Up Display (HUD). Based on powerful, open architecture concepts, the Heli 4000 takes advantage of commercially available hardware and software, and is easily scaled to meet a broad range of missions required for military transport, search and rescue, armed reconnaissance, maritime surveillance, command control and special operations.

With the CMA-4000 and the FV- 4000 at the heart of the avionics, the Heli 4000 claims extensive computer processing, memory and interface capabilities, using a CompactPCI architecture with configurable PMC modules, 500MHz PowerPC G4 processors and OpenGL graphics engines. Customers will appreciate Heli 4000s scalable, open systems architecture. The benefits are said to be lower system integration and support costs, adaptability for evolving network- centric systems and reduced risk of obsolescence throughout the life of the system.

The Heli 4000 can also be configured with CMC Electronics' HeliHawk overhead HUD. In the past, rotary wing pilots could not utilize the benefits provided by a HUD due to the technological challenges of the visibility requirements and lack of space in helicopter cockpits. CMC's HeliHawk HUD is lightweight and compact, providing a significant improvement in situational awareness and precision aiming accuracy for fixed boresight weapons.

The Heli 4000, with its powerful processing power and graphics generation capabilities, is stated to be a powerful, yet cost-effective solution for today's military rotary wing community. In combination with the HeliHawk HUD, Heli 4000 is a complete avionics glass cockpit solution for demanding military users.

Details available from: CMC Electronics Inc., Tel: +1 514 748 3148, Fax: +1 514 748 3100, web site: www.cmcelectronics.ca