The French Air Force is undergoing the modernization of many of its C-130H aircraft with the aid of Rockwell Collins. The first step in this program was integration of the first Flight2 avionics system. It comes one year after the French Defense Procurement Agency (Direction Générale de l’Armement) selected Rockwell Collins to modernize 14 French Air Force C-130H Hercules military transport aircraft.
This work was performed in Toulouse in the Rockwell Collins system integration laboratory. The lab allows French Air Force C-130 crews to evaluate the integrated system on real hardware in a simulated cockpit environment. This enables air crews to test or simulate the use of the electronic systems under realistic operating conditions prior to deployment.
“This milestone is the next step in supplying tested modification kits directly to fielded French Air Force C-130H aircraft,” said Philippe Bardet, managing director, Rockwell Collins for France. “Upgrading to the Flight2 system provides the French Air Force with the latest generation of avionics that provide a tactical advantage in military operations and external conditions, while optimizing budget and minimizing aircraft downtime.”
The Flight2 system integrates communications, navigation, surveillance, and air-traffic control into a reliable electronic solution. In addition to this system, Rockwell Collins will be outfitting the aircraft with its dual Heads-up Guidance System with infrared (IR) camera for asset detection and enhanced vision system (EVS) multispectral for enhanced situational awareness. The French Air Force C-130H Hercules modernization program involves the industrial partnership of Rockwell Collins, Sabena Technics, and Lockheed Martin.
