Boeing Helicopters has selected Rockwell Collins to develop and produce a partial glass cockpit for the US Army's CH-47 Improved Cargo Helicopter (ICH).
Rockwell Collins, which previously provided advanced avionics for 11 MH-47D Chinook helicopters, was selected as Boeing's avionics subcontractor in preference to Honeywell and Canadian Marconi. Honeywell had been considered a strong competitor given that its advanced cockpit management system (ACMS) is installed in CH-47Ds sold to the Royal Netherlands Air Force. A version of this fully digital glass cockpit is offered on the export model CH-47SD.
Lockheed Martin did not bid for the contract, despite having built the advanced cockpit in for the US Army's MH-47E special operations helicopter.
The US Army intends to upgrade at least 300 ageing CH-47D Chinook transport helicopters. The remanufactured CH-47ICH will be powered by AlliedSignal Engines T55-714A turboshafts. The helicopter modernisation also involves airframe strengthening.
Despite the fact that all-glass Chinook cockpits already exist, the US Army believes it will spend less on a partial avionics upgrade since non-recurring development costs will be amortised over a 300 aircraft remanufacturing programme.
Source: Flight International
