Helicopter Retrofit Includes Digital Cockpit

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Retrofitting aircraft that are already owned by the Army is a major cost-saving measure over purchasing new builds. US Combat aviators have recently conducted operational tests of Army modernization efforts using three UH-60V Black Hawk helicopters.

The UH-60V Black Hawk will retrofit the Army’s remaining UH-60L helicopter fleet’s analog cockpits with a digital cockpit, similar to the UH-60M helicopter.

A team from the U.S. Army Operational Test Command applied realistic operational missions, post-mission surveys and after action reviews along with onboard video and audio instrumentation to collect data directly from crewmembers.

Instrumentation installed by Redstone Test Center (RTC), Alabama, provided audio, video and position data for test team to review after each mission. The evaluation will inform a full-rate production decision from the Utility Helicopter Program Office at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

According to verticalmag.com, aircrews flew over 120 hours under realistic battlefield conditions. They conducted air movement, air assault, external load and casualty evacuation missions under day, night, night vision goggle, and simulated instrument meteorological modes of flight.

“Anti-aircraft weapon simulation emitters are a valuable training enabler and reinforce much of the Air Mission Survivability training assault aircrews have received with respect to operations in a threat environment,” said Capt Scott Amarucci, A Co. 2-158 Company commander.

Aircrews executed their Mission Essential Task Lists using the UH-60V conducting realistic missions against accredited threat systems.

The U.S. Army Operational Test Command is the US Army’s only independent operational tester. The unit tests Army, joint, and multi-service warfighting systems in realistic operational environments, using typical Soldiers to determine whether the systems are effective, suitable, and survivable. 

The Aviation Test Directorate at West Fort Hood, Texas, plans and conducts operational tests and reports on manned and unmanned aviation-related equipment to include attack, reconnaissance, cargo and lift helicopters, fixed wing aircraft, tactical trainers, ground support equipment, and aviation countermeasure systems, according to army.mil.