Rockwell Collins,
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa: The US Army's new Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) – the Bell ARH-70A – produced by Bell Helicopter and equipped with the Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) – successfully completed its first test flights on July 20, 2006.
The flights took place from Bell's Arlington, Texas XworX facility. The flights delineate the ARH program as one of the fastest 'contract-to-flight' programs ever completed and set a new standard for such acquisitions.
The software design, development and test of the avionics system were completed seven months after the contract agreement was signed. The program is valued at approximately $130 million to Rockwell Collins over its duration.
“Meeting this important milestone further positions Rockwell Collins as a trusted partner that delivers on-time, on-budget solutions to the military,” said Woody Hogle, vice president and general manager of Integrated Systems for Rockwell Collins.
The ARH-70A cockpit is based on Rockwell Collins' CAAS, which is also being installed in the U.S. Army's Special Operations and CH-47F fleets and is in the early integration phase for the Army's UH-60M fleet. The system incorporates common, reusable processing elements in each piece of hardware, and employs an open systems architecture based on commercial standards. The commonality of hardware and software components is expected to provide lower total life cycle cost and lower costs for technology insertion and supportability.
The cockpit features two Rockwell Collins' 6- by 8-inch active matrix liquid crystal multi-function displays, control display units, as well as helmet-mounted displays and general purpose processing units. Integrated Logistics Support for the avionics systems will be provided by Rockwell Collins Services.
The ARH-70A is a complete weapons system designed to meet aerial reconnaissance capabilities to operate with the current and future force. The platform can be outfitted with lethal weapons capability, net-centric connectivity and for day and night operations. The fully equipped aircraft enables the air-ground maneuver commander to “see-understand-act first.”
Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronics solutions for both commercial and government applications. Our expertise in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission communications and information management is strengthened by 17,000 employees, and a global service and support network that crosses 27 countries.
