Wed, Jan 22, 2003
Mercury Gets 777-Style Display
An E-6B Mercury that has been modified with a new
cockpit and an advanced communications package arrived at Naval Air
Station Patuxent River earlier this month, where joint testing by
VX-20 and Boeing E-6 test teams will continue.
The E-6 is a communications relay and strategic airborne command
post aircraft. Capt. William G. Okoniewski manages NAVAIR’s
E-6 Program Office (PMA-271). The E-6 provides airborne command,
control, and communications between the president, secretary of
defense, and U.S. strategic and non-strategic forces. The mission
system and cockpit display upgrades will improve mission avionics,
provide additional data processing capabilities, and increase
reliability and maintainability for the Mercury.
"It’s a great situational awareness enhancer," said Lt.
Bob Strahm, project test pilot. "These improvements will do great
things for the TACAMO community."
The
mission system upgrade provides Automated Data Processing, Demand
Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA), and Weight Savings (ADWS). Wide
bandwidth data capability is also included through integration of a
phased array antenna system. The improvements include Secure
Internet Protocol Router Network and Non-secure Internet Protocol
Router Network functions. Highlights of these functions include two
separate onboard servers (classified and unclassified), access to
servers on the ground via command managed local area network
communication links, airborne user interface via laptop computers,
and Ku band (high-speed) uplink and DAMA or Northstar Network (up
to 16Kbps) downlink.
The upgraded cockpit is equipped with the Multifunction Display
System that is based on the Boeing Commercial 777 and 737-700 next
generation avionics technology. The MDS will provide the fleet with
state-of-the-art communications, navigation, and surveillance
capability in order to address emerging global air traffic
management requirements.
The joint Navy/Boeing flight test team has been conducting the
flight test program at the Boeing Development and Modification
Center in Wichita (KS) and has taken advantage of the specialized
flight test capabilities at NAVAIR Patuxent River (MD). Following
planned flight test events, the aircraft left Pax River Jan. 12 and
headed back to Boeing’s Wichita facility.
[Thanks to Renee Hatcher, PEO (A) Public Affairs --ed.]
More News
He Attempted To Restart The Engine Three Times. On The Third Restart Attempt, He Noticed That Flames Were Coming Out From The Right Wing Near The Fuel Cap Analysis: The pilot repor>[...]
Make Sure You NEVER Miss A New Story From Aero-News Network Do you ever feel like you never see posts from a certain person or page on Facebook or Instagram? Here’s how you c>[...]
From 2009 (YouTube Edition): Leading Air Show Performers Give Their Best Advice for Newcomers On December 6th through December 9th, the Paris Las Vegas Hotel hosted over 1,500 air >[...]
Aero Linx: NASA ASRS ASRS captures confidential reports, analyzes the resulting aviation safety data, and disseminates vital information to the aviation community. The ASRS is an i>[...]
“For our inaugural Pylon Racing Seminar in Roswell, we were thrilled to certify 60 pilots across our six closed-course pylon race classes. Not only did this year’s PRS >[...]