TBM Military Fleet Upgrade Program Now Moves Into Its Industrial Phase

The first modernized TBM 700 has been delivered to the French Ministry of Defense by Daher-Socata, marking a new milestone in its contract with the country’s DGA procurement agency to upgrade 27 of these single-engine turboprop-powered aircraft in service with the French armed forces.

Main elements of the modernization include Daher-Socata’s replacement of aging avionics with an all-glass integrated flight deck that incorporates the Garmin G1000 avionics suite with GFC 700 digital autopilot, along with civilian certification and related enhancements for a better integration of the aircraft within the international air traffic system.

Also included are a modern weather radar with Stormscope weather avoidance system, an emergency locator transmitter (ELT), and the Apibox flight data recorder system. As part of Daher-Socata’s contract, the company is providing familiarization training on the TBM 700’s new systems for pilots and
mechanics, along with maintenance and operating documentation and equipment spares support.

This upgrade activity is to continue through the end of 2014, involving fifteen French Air Force TBM 700As, five TBM 700As and three TBM 700Bs for the French Army Aviation, and four TBM 700As of the country’s CEV military flight test center. “We are extremely proud of the French military’s acceptance of our first modernized TBM 700,” stated Nicolas Chabbert, Senior Vice President of the Daher-Socata Airplane Division. “This recognizes the high-quality work of our teams, who are implementing a phased modernization of the French armed forces’ TBM 700 fleet without restricting the operational activity of the units that fly them.”

FMI: www.daher.com