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Aviation History
2003
2003 - 0800.PDF
Cover story Special The MH-47E's main changes from the operations MH-47D and CH-47D are its more power- MH-47Es ful Honeywell T55-714 turboshafts with (above) will full authority digital electronic control, be upgraded extended-range 7,840 litre (2,068USgal) to G Integral fuel tanks, an integrated cockpit, a standard Raytheon APQ-174 terrain avoidance/ter rain following (TA/TF) radar and a more comprehensive self-protection suite. The MH-47D and E share an inflight refuelling boom and have limited glass cockpits, but the former's displays are small and limited to primary flight instrumentation. The "CAAS will provide a common cockpit for all three aircraft, with the same multi function displays" RICK FLESNER, ROCKWELL COLLINS MH-47E, in contrast, has monochrome displays fully integrated with other sys tems such as the helicopter's AAQ-16 for ward-looking infrared (FLIR) imager. All three versions will be brought up to common special operations aviation (SOA) MH-47G configuration. This will include an improved airframe structure for reduced vibration, low-maintenance rotor hub and a marinised T55-714A engine common to the CH-47F ICH. In addition, the SOA Chinook will get infrared engine suppres sors and rotor pylons upgraded for improved transportability, a new radar warning receiver, directed infrared coun- termeasures and possibly an improved TA/TF radar and a new second- or third- generation FLIR. Perhaps the biggest, single most impor tant improvement will be the Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) being developed by Rockwell Collins not just for the MH-47G, but also its SOAR stablemates the Sikorsky MH-60M Black Hawk and MD Helicopters M/AH-6M Little Bird. "CAAS will provide a common cockpit for all three aircraft, with the same multi function displays [MFD], control display units [CDU] and general processing units [GPU]. This has been the plan from the outset," says Rick Flesner, Rockwell Collins rotorcraft marketing manager. Software development The Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based company has been under contract to develop CAAS for more than two years and has primary responsibility for software integration and supplying the 150 x 200mm (6 x 8in) liq uid-crystal displays, CDU and GPU. The fourth hardware element - the data con centrator system - will be supplied by Sanmina-SCI. CAAS is a further evolution of Rockwell Collins's Flight2 open architec ture, incorporating PowerPC 750 proces sors, two to each smart MFD, and a Posix- compliant software operating system. SOAR has elected to go with vertical por trait-configured MFDs to accommodate five displays across the Chinook's instru ment panel and provide the pilot with bet ter situational awareness with respect to the new digital moving map. Each MFD in addition will be able host FLIR, primary www.fliqhtinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 8-14 APR I L 2003 33
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