Patria and Finnish Air Force Select CMC Electronics for Cockpit Avionics Upgrade of Hawk Trainers

MONTREAL and OTTAWA, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ - CMC Electronics Inc. has been selected by Patria, Finland, to perform a glass cockpit avionics upgrade of fifteen BAE Systems Hawk trainers for the Finnish Air Force.

The Hawk provides basic and advanced training at Kauhava Air Base for pilots destined for the F-18C and F-18D equipped front-line squadrons. The contract covers the adaptation of CMC Electronics' Cockpit 4000 integrated avionics suite for the Hawk Mk51 trainer aircraft and a Hawk simulator. The upgrade aims to further increase the quality of flight training, by improving the Hawk jet trainers' training efficiency and extending the training that is currently carried out on Hawk aircraft. The BAE Systems Hawk Mk51 first entered service with the Finnish Air Force in 1980 and the Mk51A version was delivered in 1993.

Jean-Michel Comtois, Vice President, Military Aviation, CMC Electronics, stated: "CMC's Cockpit 4000 integrated glass cockpit is designed specifically to lower training costs while offering superior training capabilities and, if required, to provide an operational weapons delivery role. By utilizing CMC's advanced cockpit avionics, fast jet pilot training, from basic to advanced level, can be performed using a single training platform, resulting in a significant savings."

Jukka Holkeri, Executive Vice President of Patria, stated: "This order further strengthens the partnership between the Finnish Air Force (FiAF) and Patria. In addition to the evolvement of the domestic fighter training, the Hawk modernization improves Patria's and FiAF's joint efforts to offer training services for foreign customers. Patria also looks forward to partnering with CMC on other future programs."

The Patria upgrade core avionics comprise CMC's powerful open-architecture mission computer, a proven wide field of view SparrowHawk Head-Up Display and Up Front Control Panel, two 5x7 inch Multifunction Displays (one in each cockpit), and a HUD repeater for each aircraft. In addition, the avionics suite features mature and proven operational flight programs that integrate the aircraft sensors, radios and weapons systems to provide a wide range of navigation and mission requirements. CMC's standardized avionics solution minimizes the integration effort required for aircraft installation - a key factor in reducing costs for customers.

Patria currently supports a fleet of 49 BAE Systems Hawks for the Finnish Air Force, the majority of which were assembled by Patria. Patria also has responsibility for maintaining the Hawks during their in service life as well as performing modifications.

Patria is a Defence and Aerospace Group with international operations. Its key business areas are armoured wheeled vehicles, mortar systems, helicopters and military aircraft, and their life cycle support, as well as defence electronics systems. Patria delivers internationally competitive solutions to global markets based on own specialist know-how and partnerships. Patria is owned by the State of Finland and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V.

CMC Electronics designs and produces leading technology electronics products for the aviation and global positioning markets. CMC's focus is on delivering innovative cockpit systems integration and avionics solutions to its customers worldwide. Its principal locations are in Montreal, Quebec; Ottawa, Ontario; and Chicago, Illinois. CMC is a private company controlled by an investor group led by ONCAP L.P. ONCAP is an investment fund established by Onex Corporation and a number of leading Canadian financial institutions. Onex is one of Canada's largest companies with global operations in the service, manufacturing and technology industries.