Collins Aerospace, a leading aerospace and defense technology company, has been awarded an $80 million contract to upgrade the avionics system of the US Army’s Black Hawk helicopters as part of the H-60M MOSA Avionics Architecture Solution program. This significant contract will enhance the helicopters’ operational capabilities, providing the Army with a more flexible and efficient way to integrate new technologies to keep pace with rapidly evolving battlefield demands.
The Upgrade: A Step Toward Enhanced Flexibility and Efficiency
The heart of the upgrade lies in the integration of Collins Aerospace’s Mosarc® (Modular Open Systems Approach) system. This family of MOSA-compliant products is designed to streamline the integration of complex avionics technology, offering the Army’s Black Hawk helicopters an open systems architecture.
This approach enables rapid, real-time updates to avionics, which is crucial for maintaining operational relevance in dynamic combat environments.
The Mosarc system will not only improve the agility of Black Hawk operations but also ensure interoperability with joint and coalition forces. As a result, the helicopters will be able to seamlessly integrate new technologies, allowing soldiers to respond swiftly to changing battlefield conditions.
This flexibility is crucial for modern military operations, where rapid adaptation to new challenges is key to maintaining superiority in the field.
Collins’ Mosarc aviation solution. (RTX)
Jenny Miller, Vice President and General Manager of Military Avionics and Helicopters at Collins Aerospace, emphasized the importance of the Mosarc system for ensuring that Black Hawk helicopters stay relevant for decades to come.
“Mosarc will provide U.S. Army Black Hawk cockpits with an open systems architecture, enabling swift integration of new capabilities to keep pace with modern operational demands,” Miller stated. “Not only is the system’s interoperability vital for joint and coalition operations, but Mosarc will also allow the rapid deployment of technology to respond in quickly changing environments.”
Streamlining Operations and Reducing Sustainment Costs
In addition to enhancing the operational capabilities of the helicopters, the Mosarc upgrade is designed to improve the efficiency of future upgrades and reduce sustainment costs throughout the helicopter’s lifecycle.
Collins Aerospace, a leading aerospace and defense technology company, has been awarded an $80 million contract to upgrade the avionics system of the US Army’s Black Hawk helicopters as part of the H-60M MOSA Avionics Architecture Solution program. This significant contract will enhance the helicopters’ operational capabilities, providing the Army with a more flexible and efficient way to integrate new technologies to keep pace with rapidly evolving battlefield demands.
The Upgrade: A Step Toward Enhanced Flexibility and Efficiency
The heart of the upgrade lies in the integration of Collins Aerospace’s Mosarc® (Modular Open Systems Approach) system. This family of MOSA-compliant products is designed to streamline the integration of complex avionics technology, offering the Army’s Black Hawk helicopters an open systems architecture.
This approach enables rapid, real-time updates to avionics, which is crucial for maintaining operational relevance in dynamic combat environments.
The Mosarc system will not only improve the agility of Black Hawk operations but also ensure interoperability with joint and coalition forces. As a result, the helicopters will be able to seamlessly integrate new technologies, allowing soldiers to respond swiftly to changing battlefield conditions.
This flexibility is crucial for modern military operations, where rapid adaptation to new challenges is key to maintaining superiority in the field.
Collins’ Mosarc aviation solution. (RTX)
Jenny Miller, Vice President and General Manager of Military Avionics and Helicopters at Collins Aerospace, emphasized the importance of the Mosarc system for ensuring that Black Hawk helicopters stay relevant for decades to come.
“Mosarc will provide U.S. Army Black Hawk cockpits with an open systems architecture, enabling swift integration of new capabilities to keep pace with modern operational demands,” Miller stated. “Not only is the system’s interoperability vital for joint and coalition operations, but Mosarc will also allow the rapid deployment of technology to respond in quickly changing environments.”
Streamlining Operations and Reducing Sustainment Costs
In addition to enhancing the operational capabilities of the helicopters, the Mosarc upgrade is designed to improve the efficiency of future upgrades and reduce sustainment costs throughout the helicopter’s lifecycle.
By enabling easier integration of new systems, Mosarc aims to minimize the time and resources required for future updates, ultimately leading to cost savings for the Army.
This long-term efficiency is particularly important in managing the fleet of Black Hawks, which will continue to play a vital role in various military operations for years to come.
The goal of incorporating Mosarc into the Army’s fleet of Black Hawk helicopters is also to create commonality across both manned and unmanned aircraft. This will help standardize avionics systems throughout the Army’s rotary-wing fleet, improving overall operational efficiency and interoperability between different platforms, both current and future.
Recent Developments and Other Enhancements to the Black Hawk Fleet
The contract with Collins Aerospace comes at a time when the US Army is making significant advancements in the capabilities of its Black Hawk helicopters.
Recently, the Army tested a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter equipped with a T901 engine, designed to enhance endurance and payload capacity, further boosting the aircraft’s operational range.
Additionally, the US Marine Corps is testing autonomous flight capabilities with Black Hawk helicopters, which will allow the aircraft to conduct resupply missions from naval vessels and land bases using Sikorsky’s MATRIX flight autonomy system.
These efforts, coupled with the avionics upgrade provided by Collins Aerospace, signify a concerted push to modernize and enhance the Black Hawk fleet, ensuring that it remains a vital asset for the US military in future operations. By integrating advanced avionics and other cutting-edge technologies, the Army is positioning its fleet to meet the challenges of modern warfare, where adaptability and advanced capabilities are paramount.
The contract also highlights the ongoing collaboration between the US Army and private defense contractors like Collins Aerospace, whose expertise in military avionics and technology integration is crucial for maintaining the Army’s technological edge.
Work for this contract will be conducted across two locations: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Huntsville, Alabama. These facilities will oversee the integration of Mosarc into the Black Hawk helicopters, ensuring that the system meets the high standards required for military operations.
Collins Aerospace secures an $80M contract to upgrade U.S. Army Black Hawk avionics with Mosarc, enhancing interoperability and future-proofing the aircraft for evolving battlefield needs. Read more: https://t.co/o0XlCcZZ0Xpic.twitter.com/jQ14UN6vzz
The $80 million contract awarded to Collins Aerospace marks a crucial step in modernizing the US Army’s Black Hawk helicopters. By integrating the Mosarc avionics system, Collins Aerospace is providing the Army with a versatile, future-proof solution that will enhance operational flexibility, reduce sustainment costs, and ensure interoperability with joint and coalition forces.
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