ROCKWELL'S COLLINS Avionics & Communications division has won prime contractorship for the $35 million initial phase of the US Air Force's compass, radar and global-positioning-system (CRAG) upgrade programme for Boeing C/KC-135s. Rockwell claims that the work could eventually be worth up to $250 million and include more than 600 aircraft.
The avionics upgrade consists of installation of FMS-800 flight-management systems, EFIS-90 electronic flight-displays and WXR-700 forward-looking wind shear weather radar (the first commercial weather radar in an USAF aircraft).
The CRAG upgrade is aimed at modernising C/KC-135 cockpits, cutting flight crew workload and automating many cockpit functions. Initial equipment deliveries are due in January 1996 and, if all options are exercised, the work should be completed in 2003.
Source: Flight International
