Raytheon T-6B next-generation trainer integrated cockpit

Citation

(2006), "Raytheon T-6B next-generation trainer integrated cockpit", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 78 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2006.12778daf.004

Raytheon T-6B next-generation trainer integrated cockpit

Raytheon T-6B next-generation trainer integrated cockpit

Keywords: Aircraft, Training

CMC Electronics' integrated cockpit was recently on display in Raytheon's Beechcraft T6-B next generation trainer at this year's Asian Aerospace show. CMC Electronics was recently awarded a contract by Raytheon Aircraft Company as the prime contractor for the Avionics Systems Integration of the Beechcraft T-6B military trainer aircraft. The T-6B is an evolutionary trainer aircraft based on the T-6A Texan II, a tandem cockpit, turboprop trainer aircraft used by the US Air Force for basic pilot training and by the US Navy for primary and intermediate joint naval flight officer and Air Force navigator/ weapons systems officer training.

“The Beechcraft T-6B training system gives us the opportunity to combine the latest cockpit management concepts with the features and high-performance characteristics of an advanced turboprop trainer aircraft,” said Jean- Michel Comtois, Vice President, military aviation at CMC Electronics.

The aircraft's integrated avionics suite consists of a CMC Electronics FV-4000 mission computer, a SparrowHawk Head up Display (HUD), stores management and multifunction displays (MFDs). The all-glass cockpit is anchored by two powerful CMC Electronics' FV-4000 mission computers. The FV-4000 is a rugged, military qualified mission system that uses a 500Mhz G4 PowerPC processor and CompactPCI/PMC modules. The HUD and the six MFDs in the front and rear cockpits are driven directly from the FV-4000 mission computers, thereby providing a powerful and flexible architecture for the centralized display and control of navigation and mission data, including the primary flight display, digital maps, tactical maps, stores management, and engine and caution warning data. The centralized control provided by the FV-4000 allows navigation, mission and communication functions to be controlled from the Up Front Control Panel (UFCP) and Hands on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS). As a result, cockpit management is greatly simplified.

“Our approach to cockpit avionics integration results in reduced costs and increased reliability in the cockpit and at the same time, narrows the training gap between the trainer aircraft and the operational aircraft of the 21st century,” Comtois said. He added: “With an open architecture mission system at the heart of the avionics, we can provide the Beechcraft T-6B with a powerful training package that includes simulated weapon delivery capabilities and can easily accommodate upgrades such as embedded ACM I with virtual radar and EW simulation. The open architecture feature facilitates growth and protects against obsolescence.”

CMC Electronics also informs us that it has been chosen as the avionics systems integrator for the new Aermacchi M-311, a derivative of the S-211 basic jet trainer, now modified with structural enhancements, a new engine and CMC's integrated glass cockpit.

Jean-Michel Comtois, Vice President, military aviation, CMC Electronics, said: “We are very pleased to be the avionics integrator for the Aermacchi M-311 jet trainer. Upgrading trainer cockpit avionics is a cornerstone of CMC Electronics' military aviation business and our selection for the M-311 firmly establishes CMC's position as a leading supplier of integrated cockpit avionics.”

Under an agreement between Aermacchi and CMC Electronics, the avionics suite will be fitted in both front and rear cockpits of the M-311. The front cockpit will consist of a CMC Electronics' SparrowHawk Head up Display (HUD) and UFCP and three 5 × 7in. MFD. The rear cockpit suite also comprises an UFCP and three 5 × 7in. MFD, one of which can also be used as the HUD repeater.

At the heart of CMC's integrated avionics solution are two CMC Electronics' FV-4000 mission computers. The open architecture uses proven avionics hardware which features CompactPCI/PMC technology. The SparrowHawk HUD and three MFD in both the front and rear cockpits are driven directly by the FV- 4000 mission computers, providing control and display functions for the high-resolution graphics of the navigation and mission data.

A variety of MFD pages can be displayed simply, using the soft bezel keys. Selectable mission data includes primary flight display, engine indicator data and stores management. Because of the centralized control provided by the two FV-4000 mission computers, all functions can be controlled from the UFCP and/or HOTAS, thus greatly simplifying cockpit management.

“With CMC's integrated avionics suite fitted in the M-311, this upgraded jet trainer will expose students to advanced avionics at the stage of basic/intermediate training, thus simplifying the transition to advanced trainers and modern operational aircraft,” said Comtois. He further added, “The avionics suite includes simulated weapons delivery capabilities and has accommodated other functions such as embedded ait combat manoeuvering instrumentation with virtual radar and electronic warfare simulation and digital mapping. A key benefit is that this open architecture design allows for growth and protects against obsolescence.”

Details available from: CMC Electronics Inc., Tel: +1 514 748- 148, Fax: +1 514 748 3100, web site: www.cmcelectronics.ca