Ultra PCS and Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions Division announced that they have been selected by ACE Aeronautics to provide a lightweight, high technology Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) with integrated Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) solution for installation on the UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter fleets of foreign militaries.
Under the contract, Ultra PCS and Curtiss-Wright will provide ACE Aeronautics with the ED-112A collaboratively developed Fortress HUMS CVR/FDR with integrated HUMS capability designed for use on rotorcraft platforms. The initial contract is for 13 Aircraft and includes the prototype aircraft at ACE Aeronautics. Shipments are scheduled to begin later this year and run through 2028.
This contract represents the first selection of a lightweight modern combined crash recorder with voice, flight data, and integrated HUMS developed for U.S. built rotorcraft. Compared to segregated crash recorder and HUMS alternatives, and to competitive offerings, the 13lb Fortress HUMS delivers advanced technology, including the latest 25-hour CVR capability, with substantially lower weight (~50lbs less) and greater ease of installation.
Fortress HUMS, which can monitor all rotorcraft mechanical systems, blends accident, incident, and flight data analysis with advanced rotorcraft mechanical diagnostics, resulting in increased safety and aircraft operational availability while lowering maintenance costs. The use of HUMS as a standalone solution has been shown to increase rotorcraft availability by 15-20% by successfully predicting maintenance-related issues so that maintenance can be conducted based on real-time condition data, rather than schedule.
“Ultra PCS is delighted to bring this next generation, game-changing technology to market,” said Ben Sutton, Vice President, Data Processing, Ultra PCS. “The Fortress HUMS will provide the end-user with a significant fleet management capability that enables them to reduce operational costs by making better decisions about maintenance analysis, safety, training, and interface to the supply system. This system will provide the transformational ability to the customer from crew chief to design engineer.”
“The selection of the Fortress HUMS recorder by ACE Aeronautics to support the Black Hawk helicopter fleets of foreign militaries is an important milestone in bringing advanced voice/data recording and HUMS monitoring and diagnostics to rotorcraft platforms,” said Brian Perry, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions Division. “With its unmatched size and weight reduction, Fortress HUMS significantly reduces the time and cost of aircraft installation and through-life operational costs. For the 3,300 UH-60L Black Hawks and 1,730 CH-47 platforms in service around the world, Fortress HUMS delivers a compelling approach for optimising defense mission readiness and weight savings. What’s more, Fortress HUMS offers equal, if not even greater potential value, to commercial rotorcraft fleet operators.”
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