Team Supplies Cobra Integrated Avionics

A team including Bell Helicopter and Northrop Grumman is supplying glass cockpits for the first production models of the new U.S. Marine Corps’ AH-1Z Super Cobra attack helicopter and the UH-1Y utility helicopter, the companies said Tuesday. The Northrop Grumman-built Integrated Avionics System (IAS) provides the helicopters with an interoperable glass cockpit and fully integrated avionics system anchored by two of its mission computers. Built by Bell Helicopter, the UH-1Y and AH-1Z helicopters were delivered to the U.S. Marine Corps in Amarillo, Texas, in January. Under terms of its agreement with Bell, Northrop Grumman will supply IAS glass cockpits for 180 AH-1Z and 100 UH-1Y helicopters. L-3 Ruggedized Command and Controls Solutions will supply the multi-function displays and Smiths Aerospace, Grand Rapid, Mich., will supply the weapons stores control and data transfer system for the aircraft. Northrop Grumman said the IAS eliminates single points of failure, enhances aircraft reliability and safety and reduces power consumption.