Rockwell Collins’ industry leading DF-430 Direction Finder and HF-9000 high frequency radios will bring added capabilities to the Embraer KC-390 transport aircraft. The announcement follows the May 2011 selection by Embraer Defense and Security of the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion™-based avionics for the aircraft.

“Our long history of providing industry leading communications and navigation equipment was a key to receiving this award,” said Dave Nieuwsma, vice president and general manager of Airborne Solutions for Rockwell Collins. “The DF-430’s performance in search and rescue operations is unmatched, helping the U.S. Coast Guard perform more than 100 rescues at sea since being installed on all of its aircraft over the last four years.”

Thierry Tosi, vice president and managing director, Americas, for Rockwell Collins, said the contract is another example of the growing relationship between the company and Embraer.

“Starting with providing avionics for their commercial airplanes and now on its military KC-390, Rockwell Collins continues to strengthen our relationship with Embraer as we deliver innovative solutions to satisfy their requirements,” he said.

The DF-430 gives rescuers the ability to home in on a signal from greater distances than any other system – allowing the rescuers to pinpoint the location of distressed vessels from as far away as 200 nautical miles. Before the introduction of the DF-430, search and rescue aircraft had to be within a few miles of vessels before they could detect the older distress signals.

The HF-9000 high-frequency radio system is designed for both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. Its pressurized antenna coupler offers full operational capability at extreme altitudes and temperatures, while maximizing the radiated high-frequency signal power. The system stores 50 manually tuned frequencies and can learn and store tuning data for 99 preset channels.

Rockwell Collins press release