Sat, May 17, 2008
Underwent Major Avionics Upgrade By EADS Socata
EADS Socata announced recently the first flight of an
avionics-upgraded Embraer EMB 121 Xingu of the French Military Air
Transport Flight School, based in Avord. The one-hour, 15-minute
flight validated the system improvements implemented during a
15-month intensive avionics modernization program led by EADS
Socata for the French armed forces’ in-service Xingu
fleet.
This avionics upgrade provides the twin-engine Xingu
training/transport aircraft with a glass cockpit environment that
meets today’s air traffic environment. Its configuration is
built around two Sagem Avionics 10-inch ICDS-10 displays for
primary flight information and one ICDS-10 multifunction display
for engine instrumentation.
Completing the new avionics suite are the Garmin GNS 430
navigation/communications system, a Garmin SL30 communication and
navigation set with 8.33 kHz spacing, and a Garmin GTX 330D Mode S
transponder with antenna diversity.
The improvement package also will include mission preparation
software.
EADS Socata’s flight test program with the upgraded EMB
121 will last three months, and is to involve the rework of a
second Xingu from the French Navy to complete the contract’s
first installment. A successful conclusion of this work will lead
to the start-up of a second contract phase – scheduled
through several additional installments, with the supply of
avionics kits for retrofit of the French Armed Forces’
remaining 39 EMB 121 Xingus.
In service since 1982 with the French Air Force and the French
Navy, the EMB 121 Xingu is operated by the Military Air Transport
school based in Avord to train transport and patrol aircraft crews
from France and certain participating countries. They serve also as
liaison aircraft within the French Navy.
"This maiden flight successfully concludes the first installment
of this major avionics retrofit program," said Raphaël
Maître, EADS Socata’s Vice President of Customer
Service. "It highlights our know-how in this field, and underscores
our ability to offer military customers high-quality service in
accordance with program specifications and budgetary envelope."
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