GPS, FMS To Be Standard Equipment In New Rotorcraft

Esterline CMC Electronics’ (CMC) CMA-9000 Flight Management System (FMS) and CMA-5024 Global Positioning System (GPS) Landing System Sensor have been selected as standard avionics for the new X4 helicopter from Airbus Helicopters.

The X4 is Airbus Helicopters’ new generation 5 to 6-ton twin-engine helicopter. Incorporating innovative technologies, the X4 will be tailored for a wide range of applications, including oil and gas operations, emergency medical services, public services, business and private aviation.

“CMC is very proud to have been selected to provide the navigation solution for this brand new helicopter from Airbus Helicopters," said Greg Yeldon, president, Esterline CMC Electronics. "The CMA-9000 and CMA-5024 continue to evolve to meet the needs of a wide range of helicopter applications and their selection for the new X4 platform is an affirmation from the world’s largest civil helicopter manufacturer that CMC’s navigation systems continue to offer the advanced capabilities and reliability that are essential for this market.”    

The CMA-9000 is a field-proven, highly-integrated and flexible solution that is optimized for helicopter operations. It provides flight management and multi-sensor navigation throughout all phases of flight, radio management and many specialized functions that help reduce pilot workload during mission-critical applications such as search and rescue (SAR) and offshore operations.  The CMA-9000 supports both military and civil navigation modes, with compliance to the latest standards for Required Navigation Performance (RNP) and Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) approaches.  The integrated radio management system offers savings in terms of size, weight, power and cost on the helicopter. Night vision goggle (NVG) capability enables night-time operations for police, SAR and EMS operators, making the CMA-9000 the FMS of choice for demanding helicopter applications.

CMC’s IntegriFlight CMA-5024 GPS Landing System Sensor meets the X4 requirements for an Instrument Flight Rules, civil certified Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). The CMA-5024 provides Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) SBAS GPS capability from departure to non precision approach that complies with published CNS/ATM navigational mandates. WAAS/SBAS augments GPS to provide an extremely accurate navigation solution that will support all X4 flight operations from en route through GNSS and WAAS/SBAS Localizer Performance with a Vertical Guidance (LPV) CAT-1 equivalent approach. WAAS also provides a level of integrity not achievable by GPS alone. The CMA-5024 is provisioned for growth to GBAS with a built-in VHF Data Broadcast (VDB) receiver.

(Images provided by CMC Esterline)

FMI: www.cmcelectronics.ca