Company “unmatched” in number of CNS/ATM avionics upgrades for C-130s

Rockwell Collins recently completed the Thailand C-130 Avionics Upgrade Program, led by Thai Aviation Industries (TAI), adding to the company’s extensive record of providing communications, navigation, surveillance/air traffic management (CNS/ATM) avionics upgrades worldwide.

“Rockwell Collins is unmatched in providing advanced avionics upgrades for C-130s,” said Dave Nieuwsma, vice president and general manager of Airborne Solutions for Rockwell Collins. “With the completion of this program, we have provided cockpit and avionics upgrades to more than 150 C-130 aircraft around the world.”

Over the past five years, TAI and Rockwell Collins have upgraded the cockpit and avionics on 12 Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) C-130 Hercules aircraft.

Nieuwsma said the company’s hallmarks of “outstanding teamwork and a clear understanding of program requirements, validated through a rigorous design and testing process,” resulted in a successful program for TAI, Rockwell Collins and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF).

The Rockwell Collins Flight2™ avionics system provides the RTAF with unrestricted access to global airspace by meeting CNS/ATM mandates currently identified through 2020. Included in the avionics upgrade are new primary flight displays, Flight Management System, autopilot, communication radios, navigation sensors and surveillance systems including weather radar, Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), Terrain Awareness and Warning System and digital map. The delivery of the final upgraded C-130 completes an avionics modernization program which provides the RTAF with state-of-the-art capabilities consistent the world’s leading C-130 operators.

The aircraft installation was designed and manufactured by Rockwell Collins, then installed and tested by TAI at Takhli Air Force base north of Bangkok.