THE ROYAL NAVY IS to fit all of its front-line helicopters with Racal Avionics' secure global-positioning-system (GPS) equipment. The £25 million ($39 million) upgrade programme, due for completion in 1999, will cover over 150 aircraft. An integrated logistic-support package, which lasts until 2003, is also included.
Racal, as prime contractor, is teamed with Westland Helicopters, which will act as the aircraft design authority and installer. The airframes to be upgraded include the Westland Lynx and Sea King Mk4/5/6.
The work involves installation of control display and navigation units (CDNUs). For the Lynx fleet, the CDNU will be interfaced with the central tactical system, which Racal supplied under an earlier contract.
Racal has confirmed that it is considering teaming with Westland for an upcoming avionics upgrade of Royal Air Force Boeing Chinooks, which will cover the supply and installation of GPS, inertial navigation and thermal-imaging-equipment systems.
Source: Flight International
