Software Constantly Updates Position Sensing

Curtiss-Wright Controls' subsidiary, Penny & Giles Aerospace Ltd., has been awarded a new defense contract by Bell Helicopter to upgrade all United States Marine Corps H-1 helicopters.

The contract will be worth approximately $5 million over an 11-year-period.

The contracts are for Penny & Giles' proprietary Software Configurable Air Data Computers and the company's Linear Variable Differential Transformers. The Penny & Giles equipment will be used to upgrade the UH1Y (Huey) and AH1Z (Cobra) helicopters.

Penny & Giles' Air Data Computer was chosen because its flexible software can be adapted to support 15 different aircraft types and roles. The linear transducers, which provide highly accurate and repeatable position sensing, will serve as the primary flight control sensors for each aircraft.

Militaries around the world continue to depend on the Huey, a proven workhorse that is used to execute combat assaults, transport soldiers and evacuate the wounded, along with other critical helicopter missions. More than 16,000 Hueys have been produced, operating in challenging environments that range from the rugged mountains of Bosnia to the frozen vastness of Antarctica.

The AH-1Z is the most capable and flexible multi-mission attack helicopter in the world. It is powerful, fast and agile, and has state-of-the-art dynamics, weapons and avionics suites that incorporate the latest survivability equipment available. The AH-1Z has excellent anti-armor capability and excels at the full spectrum of attack helicopter missions.

Penny & Giles has also recently been selected to supply its proprietary Software Configurable Air Data Computers for up to 1,600 aircraft on the United States Army's CH-47 Chinook, UH60 Black Hawks and MH6 Little Birds helicopters.

"The ability to use the air data computer across multiple platforms increases the unit's flexibility and supportability for our customers," says George Yohrling, President of Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc. "The selection of our sensors is also gratifying as it gives our aerospace sector greater content on these important helicopter platforms."

FMI: www.cwcontrols.com