Sikorsky chooses backup, storm-detecting, and power avionics from L-3 for two helicopters
LAS VEGAS, 7 March 2013. Avionics designers at helicopter designer Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in Stratford, Conn., needed a variety of helicopter avionics instruments for the company's H-60 and S-70i helicopters. They found their solution from L-3 Aviation Products in Phoenix.
Sikorsky is choosing the L-3 GH-3001 electronic standby instrument system (ESIS), Stormscope WX-500 lightning detection system and PS-855 emergency power supply (EPS) for the H-60 and S-70i helicopters. L-3 announced the avionics design-in this week at the Heli-Expo trade show in Las Vegas.
The follow-on contract from Sikorsky is a five-year contract that spans from 2013 through 2017. The Sikorsky H-60 and S-70i helicopters fly in more than 25 countries, with the U.S. Army and Navy operating the bulk of them, L-3 officials say.
Designed with military forces in mind, the night vision goggle (NVG)-compatible GH-3001 ESIS provides attitude, altitude, airspeed, and heading cues in a unit that has been certified to high EMI levels. Customized tape readouts allow the addition of a vertical speed indicator (VSI).
The WX-500 Stormscope detects and map thunderstorms by analyzing the radiated signals of electrical discharges from storm cells, and provides a view of the most dangerous areas of thunderstorms.
The PS-855 EPS supplies power to critical avionics in the event of an emergency and produces additional power output at 24 volts DC to run other emergency equipment without interruption. The batteries are capable of withstanding severe performance requirements, including thermal shock and high charge and discharge rates.
"This award represents the single largest order we've received from an OEM for our GH, Stormscope, and power supply products," says Ralph DeMarco, vice president of sales and marketing for L-3 Aviation Products.
For more information contact L-3 Aviation Products online at www.L-3com.com/aviationproducts, or Sikorsky Aircraft at www.sikorsky.com.
John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
