Collins Aerospace, part of RTX, has been awarded an $80m contract to modernise the avionics of US Army Black Hawk helicopters through the H-60M Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) Avionics Architecture Solution programme.
The upgrade initiative will incorporate Mosarc, Collins Aerospace’s family of MOSA-compliant products, and is designed to enhance technology integration for the dynamic battlefield.
This is expected to enable soldiers to swiftly update avionics technology in real-time.
Mosarc has been created to streamline upgrades and reduce long-term sustainment costs throughout the helicopter’s operational lifespan.
Mosarc’s modular building block design approach to avionics aligns with open systems standards and ensures a separation between air vehicle and mission system equipment, facilitating the management of their information exchange.
By integrating Mosarc into the Black Hawk fleet, Collins Aerospace aims to establish uniformity across the Army’s current and future inventory of manned and uncrewed aircraft, improving interoperability and maintainability.
Collins Aerospace Military Avionics and Helicopters vice president and general manager Jenny Miller said: “Mosarc will provide U.S. Army Black Hawk cockpits with an open systems architecture, enabling swift integration of new capabilities to keep pace with modern operational demands.
“Not only is the system’s interoperability vital for joint and coalition operations, but Mosarc will also allow the rapid deployment of technology to respond in quickly changing environments and help keep these aircraft relevant for decades to come.”
The UH-60 Black Hawk, manufactured by Sikorsky, has been in use in the US Army since 1978. The helicopter’s primary function is to transport troops and provide logistical support.
The aircraft can also be adapted for medical evacuation, command-and-control, search-and-rescue, armed escort, electronic warfare, and executive transport missions.
The latest contract work will be carried out in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Huntsville, Alabama.
Earlier in 2025, inaugural ground runs with the GE Aerospace T901 Improved Turbine Engines on a UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter were completed by Sikorsky.
This development was achieved by a team of US Army personnel and industry specialists, with Army and Sikorsky pilots leading the effort.
