Military

Rockwell Collins to Supply Additional Systems for KC-390

By Tish Drake | March 29, 2012
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Embraer has selected systems from Rockwell Collins for its KC-390 transport aircraft. Rockwell Collins, which is also providing its Pro Line Fusion-based avionics for the aircraft, will also supply its DF-430 Direction Finder and HF-9000 high frequency radios.

“Our long history of providing industry leading communications and navigation equipment was a key to receiving this award,” said Dave Nieuwsma, vice president and general manager of Airborne Solutions for Rockwell Collins. “The DF-430’s performance in search and rescue operations is unmatched, helping the U.S. Coast Guard perform more than 100 rescues at sea since being installed on all of its aircraft over the last four years.”

The DF-430 has the capability of pinpointing the location of distressed vessels from as far away as 200 nautical miles, the company said. Before the introduction of the DF-430, search and rescue aircraft had to be within a few miles of vessels before they could detect the older distress signals. The HF-9000 high-frequency radio system is designed for both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. Its pressurized antenna coupler offers full operational capability at extreme altitudes and temperatures. The system stores 50 manually tuned frequencies and can learn and store tuning data for 99 preset channels.

Other suppliers on the KC-390 include: Esterline Control Systems (rudder pedal stations, flap selectors, speed brake LRUs, landing gear levers, wheel tiller, and autobrake switch control panels), ACSS (T3CAS traffic management computer), Sagem (horizontal stabilizer trim system), Elbit Systems (Self-Protection Suite, Directional Infrared Countermeasures, pilot orientation Head-Up Display and mission computer), Hamilton Sundstrand (Electric Power Generating System) and BAE Systems (flight control electronics).

The Brazilian Air Force has committed to purchasing 28 KC-390s. Embraer expects initial flight testing for the KC-390 to begin in 2014 with entry into service in 2016.

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