Thales selected by US helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky to supply TopDeck avionics suite
27 September 2005
Thales announced today that its TopDeck(r) family of avionics suites has been selected by US based Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation to equip its new and upcoming S76D civil helicopter.
With this selection, Thales will become integrator and avionics supplier of the flight deck aboard one of the most advanced civil helicopters in the world. The first delivery of the S76D is planned for 2008.
This selection marks the first time that Thales has been selected to supply a line fit full glass cockpit by an American based helicopter manufacturer. This gives Thales a significant new position from which to further grow and develop in both the civil and military helicopter markets in the USA.
The result of nearly a year of fierce competition between Thales and other leading avionics suppliers, this selection involved close cooperation with Sikorsky's customers. Through unique Customer Advisory Councils, held in the USA early this year, customers were able to give direct input regarding their requirements and specifications.
TopDeck(r) is an integrated modular avionics suite offering glass cockpit based on the latest technology. The TopDeck(r) avionics suite has been designed for helicopters as a complete and integrated package providing all the functions required for glass cockpit and AFCS (Automatic Flight Control System) operations with a high level of safety.
"I'm absolutely delighted at this selection. I look forward to a long and successful relationship with Sikorsky. This is a significant step forward in our ambitions in the US marketplace and the recognition that currently places Thales as the most competitive helicopter avionics supplier in the marketplace," said Phil Naybour, Helicopter Solutions Vice President and General Manager.
Press contacts
Brigitte Porée - +33 (0) 1 57 77 88 10
Natasha Harvey - +33 (0) 1 57 77 86 26
NOTE TO EDITORS
TopDeck Helicopter Avionics Suite
TopDeck is an integrated modular avionics suite offering glass cockpit based on latest technology.
It has been designed to meet FAR and JAR 29 airworthiness requirements for IFR Cat A.
TopDeck integrated modular concept is aimed at offering a low weight and low life cycle cost system with maximum integrated functionalities.
TopDeck avionics suite has been designed for helicopters as a complete and integrated package providing all the functions required for glass cockpit and AFCS operations with a high level of safety.
TopDeck comprises of the following major features:
* Four 6'' X 8"(useful) AMLCD flat panel displays configuration driven from modular and highly integrated modules embedded in two racks.
* MFDs with powerful processing units, allowing complex symbology generation and comprehensive data concentration capabilities for external sensors.
* A wide range of functions from classic EFIS/EICAS up to advanced FMS, interactive digital map, maintenance modes, FDR interface and interactive radio management without any hardware addition
* Interactive cockpit using two trackballs, taking benefits of all technology developed around the A380 cockpit
* Options configurable by the operator through a configuration file without any software modification.
* A 4 axis digital AFCS, providing basic functions and complex flight director modes required for SAR operation including coupled VNAV. TopDeck AFCS has been designed to be fully integrated with the TopDeck displays system.;
* Suite architecture design driven by aircraft safety. Embedded redundancy ensures that no single failure jeopardize availability of major system functions. Dispatch is permitted with one failed display.
* Hardware architecture drawing on all the advantages of the Integrated Modular Avionics concept. The core processing software is compliant with the Arinc 653 standard and has been developed according to DO 178 B level A allowing spatial and temporal partitioning up for critical applications.
* An architecture designed to provide growth potential to match future requirements such as SVS capability thanks to powerful display graphics capability.
AFCS: Automatic Flight Control System
AMLCD: Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display
MFD: Multifunction Display
EICAS: Engine and Instrument Caution Advisory System
FMS: Flight Management System
FDR: Flight Data Recorder
VNAV: Vertical Navigation
SVS: Synthetic Vision System
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