Will Provide Air Data Computers On MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter Fleet

The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded a contract for the supply of Air Data Computer technology for use on the Coast Guard’s Airbus MH-65 Dolphin helicopter fleet to Curtiss-Wright Corporation.

The MH-65 Dolphin helicopters will be integrated with dual Air Data Computers that provide flight critical altitude and speed information to the cockpit and other important helicopter systems. The initial value of the contract is approximately $3 million. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2015 and continue through 2019.

“Curtiss-Wright is very proud to have been selected by the U.S. Coast Guard to provide our industry leading Air Data Computer technology for use on this important helicopter program,” said Lynn Bamford, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Defense Solutions division.

The MH-65 Dolphin is a conversion of the Airbus HH-65 Dolphin, which is itself a variant of the French-built Eurocopter AS365. The MH-65 conversion integrates a glass cockpit into the aircraft. The Curtiss-Wright Air Data Computer supplies the altitude, airspeed, and vertical speed data to the glass cockpit displays as part of that upgrade.

The Dolphin helicopter serves the U.S. Coast Guard both as a short-range rescue and maritime law enforcement platform.  The helicopters operate from 17 air stations on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, the Gulf of Mexico, Hawaii and the Great Lakes, as well as from deployed cutters.

Curtiss-Wright is manufacturing the products covered by this agreement at its Avionics & Electronics facility in Christchurch, U.K. The products will be shipped to the United States Coast Guard in Elizabeth City, NC.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.uscg.mil