Completes Successful 1:40 First Flight

Patria of Finland recently flew CMC Electronics' Cockpit 4000 integrated avionics suite on the Hawk Mk51 trainer aircraft from Halli Airfield, Finland. CMC's avionics suite performed successfully during the one hour and 40-minute first flight, which was flown by two Finnish Air Force test pilots.

In February 2007, CMC Electronics announced that its Cockpit 4000 glass cockpit avionics had been selected by Patria for their upgrade of 15 BAE Systems Hawk trainers for the Finnish Air Force.

The Hawk provides basic and advanced training at Kauhava Air Base for pilots destined for the F-18C and F-18D equipped front-line squadrons. The contract covers the adaptation of CMC Electronics' Cockpit 4000 integrated avionics suite for the Hawk Mk51 trainer aircraft and a Hawk simulator. The upgrade aims to further increase the quality of flight training, by improving the Hawk jet trainers' training efficiency and extending the training that is currently carried out on Hawk aircraft.

The BAE Systems Hawk Mk51 first entered service with the Finnish Air Force in 1980 and the Mk51A version was delivered in 1993.

"CMC's Cockpit 4000 integrated glass cockpit is designed specifically to lower training costs while offering superior training capabilities and, if required, to provide an operational weapons delivery role," said Jean-Michel Comtois, vice president, military aviation for CMC Electronics. "By utilizing CMC's advanced cockpit avionics, fast jet pilot training, from basic to advanced level, can be performed using a single training platform, resulting in a significant savings."

Jukka Holkeri, executive vice president of Patria, stated: "This order further strengthens the partnership between the Finnish Air Force (FINAF) and Patria. In addition to the evolvement of the domestic fighter training, the Hawk modernization improves Patria's and FINAF's joint efforts to offer training services for foreign customers. Patria also looks forward to partnering with CMC on other future programs."

The Patria upgrade core avionics comprise CMC's open-architecture mission computer, a wide field of view SparrowHawk Head-Up Display and Up Front Control Panel, two 5x7 inch Multifunction Displays (one in each cockpit), and a HUD repeater for each aircraft. In addition, the avionics suite features proven operational flight programs that integrate the aircraft sensors, radios and weapons systems to provide a wide range of navigation and mission requirements. CMC notes its standardized avionics solution minimizes the integration effort required for aircraft installation -- a key factor in reducing costs for customers.
 
Patria currently supports a fleet of 49 BAE Systems Hawks for the Finnish Air Force, the majority of which were assembled by Patria.

FMI: www.cmcelectronics.ca, www.patria.fi