Northrop Grumman has successfully completed electromagnetic emissions and interference (EMI/EMC) tests of an RC-12X Guardrail platform for the US Army. This is a key milestone in meeting a June delivery target for the first four next-generation airborne signals intelligence platforms (ASIP).
Based on the Beechcraft King Air 200 twin turboprop, the RC-12X is a modernised version of the army's existing signals intelligence Guardrail fleet. The $462 million programme calls on Northrop to supply 33 aircraft, 29 of which will have the Northrop ASIP sensor package installed, with the remaining four aircraft set up as trainers but capable of accepting the sensor packages if needed.
The full fleet is set to be delivered by the end of 2014.
In addition to a modernised glass cockpit installed by Stevens Aviation, the RC-12X also carries a refurbished payload bay, wingtip pod modifications for new antennas and two large flat-panel arrays on the aft portion of fuselage, modifications performed by Hawker Beechcraft.
The SIGINT package itself has enhanced frequency range and signal-type coverage for precision and geo-location and identification to help ASIP operators on the ground "focus imagery on the right target quickly and accurately", says Trip Carter, director of Northrop's airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance initiatives. "Our SIGINT capability will cross-cue to that image capability and tell it where to point."
Northrop has previously flight tested the "heart" of the system, the CP200 sensor package, "several times", says Carter. The first new payload sensor was used for ground-based EMI/EMC testing in an RC-12 at Eglin AFB in Florida recently, validating that the aircraft's avionics and payload will not interfere with one another.
The test is one of several requirements that must be completed before the aircraft can receive its airworthiness certificate from the US Federal Aviation Administration.
Carter says the five aircraft have had cockpit and payload bay modifications completed to date. Pilot training has started, he adds, and operator training will begin in the "next couple of months".
Source: Flight International
