Expert viewpoint Jul 09. 2024
"Power and versatility" - Key factors that make the Thales FMS200 Flight Management System a world leader
Business Thales awarded contract for the Flight Management System software for the modernisation of the US Army’s UH-60V Black Hawk Cockpit Thales awarded contract for the Flight Management System software for the modernisation of the US Army’s UH-60V Black Hawk Cockpit
Thales has been selected by Northrop Grumman Corporation to supply its state of the art Flight Management System software, i-FMS200, which will be embedded in the avionics mission equipment package that Northrop Grumman will provide to upgrade the US Army’s UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters. The upgraded version of the Black Hawk helicopter will be known as UH 60V.
Thales has been working closely with Northrop Grumman Corporation over the past three years to provide a proven, scalable and modular Flight Management System (FMS) software design that meets the requirements for the UH-60V program.
Thales’s FMS software has proven its ability to be integrated by Northrop Grumman into its newest equipment during a flight demonstration on-board a UH-60L helicopter.
Moreover, hosting the Thales’s FMS software directly on Northrop Grumman’s mission computer will provide architecture weight and cost optimisation on the UH-60V aircraft, eliminating the need for stand-alone FMS hardware.
More than 750 aircraft are expected to be modified under the UH-60V programme.
Northrop Grumman has also selected Thales to provide the civilian certified TOP Star 200 GPS system.
View of the iFMS200
Key points
- Thales to supply its Flight Management System software, i-FMS200, to Northrop Grumman for integration into the avionics mission equipment package for the US Army’s UH-60V modernised Black Hawk.
- More than 750 aircraft are expected to be modified under the UH-60V programme.
- Thales is providing Northrop Grumman with the most advanced and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved FMS software to meet the UH‑60V requirements.
