The U.S. Coast Guard recently completed a successful Functional Check Flight of an HC-130H aircraft enhanced with an advanced avionics upgrade from Rockwell Collins under the Coast Guard’s Avionics 1 Upgrade program.

The flight marked the completion of a significant cockpit and avionics upgrade managed by Rockwell Collins. The upgrade includes incorporation of four multi-function displays, a new digital autopilot, and a Communications, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) equipment suite for compliance with the latest airspace mandates. Rockwell Collins had previously upgraded the Coast Guard’s HC-130H fleet with its new MultiScan™ Hazard Detection Weather Radar.

“Rockwell Collins and the Coast Guard have developed a strong relationship over the years and this most recent successful flight test adds another chapter to that story,” said Troy Brunk, vice president and general manager of Airborne Solutions for Rockwell Collins. “We’re continuing to add to our track record as the leading provider of cost-effective C-130 avionics upgrades, having completed more than 125 C-130 upgrades worldwide over the last decade.”

The upgrade reduces pilot workload while improving situational awareness through enhanced CNS/ATM flight management capability, incorporating the MultiScan™ Hazard Detection Weather Radar system for aircrew situational awareness, as well as implementing Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), Required Navigation Performance Area Navigation (RNP RNAV) functions with digital takeoff and landing data computations, and providing key search and rescue patterns. In particular, aircrews will appreciate the fully integrated Class III electronic flight bag with digital map overlays on the cockpits new 6-inch by 8-inch multi-function displays.

Rockwell Collins press release