Northrop Grumman has conducted the first test flight of a UH-60V Black Hawk helicopter upgraded with a new digital cockpit.
The testing was carried out in collaboration between Northrop, the US Army Prototype Integration Facility and Redstone Defense Systems.
Northrop Grumman mission solutions vice-president Ike Song said: “This UH-60V first flight accomplishment reaffirms our open, safe and secure cockpit solutions that will enable the most advanced capabilities for warfighters.
“We remain committed to delivering an affordable, low-risk solution that provides long-term value and flexibility to customers.”
As part of a contract awarded in 2014, Northrop supplied the integrated avionics suite for the UH-60V Black Hawk programme, which seeks to replace the helicopters' analogue gauges with electronic instrument displays.
The flight follows a cockpit design and development effort that was completed on schedule within 29 months of the original contract award.
The UH-60V digital cockpit complies with the Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE) standard, and supports the integration of off-the-shelf hardware and software.
Northrop said that the cockpit enables avionics platforms to be upgraded with new capabilities more safely and at a reduced cost.
According to the company, the upgrade will result in enhanced pilot situational awareness and mission safety, decreased workload and lifecycle costs, and a common training environment.
Image: The UH-60V Black Hawk successfully flew for the first time on 19 January. Photo: courtesy of Northrop Grumman.
