Jeppesen has signed the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) as the military launch customer for its Class 1 electronic flight bag (EFB), marking a major breakthrough in the Boeing subsidiary’s efforts to cultivate interest in its “paperless cockpit” products in the defence market.
The RNLAF becomes one of the first air forces to adopt EFBs and is deploying 17 devices on a mixed fleet of eight transport aircraft stationed at Eindhoven air base. Jeppesen, integrator International Computer Marketing and hardware provider Panasonic worked with the service’s 334 Sqn to install the digital information system, including assembly and training.
The EFB is based on Jeppesen’s data distribution and management system and includes its terminal chart application and a PDF chart viewer. The squadron also plans to install Jeppesen’s yet-to-be released en route moving map and a document browser. The hardware comprises a Panasonic CF-18 ToughBook and 21.3cm (8.4in) navAero kneeboard touch screen.
“We are helping the squadron transition at its own pace with Class 1 EFBs, while the squadron is working with the RNLAF operational research and evaluations branch to develop operational guidelines and approvals,” says Oivind Moldestad, Jeppesen military aviation business development executive.
The Netherlands’ 334 Sqn operates two Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules, one Gulfstream GIV, two Fokker 50s, four Fokker 60s and two McDonnell Douglas KDC-10 tanker/transports. It “plans to convert the Class 1 into a Class 2 solution for its C-130s and KDC-10s” when it carries out a cockpit modification programme, says Moldestad. Class 2 EFBs use screens hard-mounted in the cockpit.
Two recently acquired C-130Hs and a third DC-10 will be equipped with additional EFBs after overhaul, while the Fokker 60s will not receive the equipment. Jeppesen says the air force is “also exploring the possibility of acquiring a similar system for their [Boeing CH-47] Chinook and [Eurocopter AS352] Cougar helicopters”. The service already uses Jeppesen’s JetPlanner flight planning and Mission Ops eCharts electronic charting software.
The RNLAF has meanwhile selected Honeywell to provide a cockpit avionics suite to equip the service’s planned follow-on batch of CH-47F Chinooks, deliveries of which are expected to commence in 2008.
- The Netherlands will deploy 1,200 personnel and 16 aircraft to Afghanistan’s Uruzgan province in mid-2006 to support International Security Assistance Force activities in the country. The air component will comprise six Lockheed F-16 fighters, six Boeing NAH-64D Apache attack helicopters, six Cougar utility helicopters, three Chinook transport helicopters and one C-130H. The deployment will also be supported by the RNLAF’s KDC-10s.
ANDREW DOYLE / LONDON
Source: Flight International
