Avionics for U.S. Army’s Helicopter

An integrated avionics suite made by Northrop Grumman Corp.

in Woodland Hills has been installed for the first time aboard a UH-60V Black Hawk helicopter of the Pennsylvania National Guard.

It marks the entry into service of the Army’s first helicopter with Northrop’s OpenLift full modular architecture, said Dennis Neel, director of integrated digital systems for Northrop Grumman, in an email to the Business Journal.

“Northrop Grumman in Woodland Hills is responsible for the procurement, integration and delivery of the open, safe, secure avionics suite for the UH-60V,” Neel added. “The team in Woodland Hills delivers each kit to the Army for installation by the service at the Corpus Christi Army Depot.” Northrop Grumman’s modular open systems architecture gives customers the freedom to choose the hardware and software that best meets their needs, regardless of manufacturer. It also provides a lasting path to relevance, adding years of service over the lifetime of the aircraft, the Falls Church, Va. defense and aerospace contractor said.

OpenLift, Northrop Grumman’s modular open systems architecture for the UH-60V, can be adapted to numerous aircraft and is approved for export, the company added.

The UH-60V enhances aircrew situational understanding and mission safety while reducing pilot workload. The pilot-vehicle interface is nearly identical to that of the UH-60M, enabling common training and operational employment, the company said.James Conroy, vice president of navigation, targeting and survivability, said that with the addition of the avionics package, Northrop has brought a transformational aircraft to market.

“The OpenLift modular, open systems architecture gives the Army a highly survivable UH-60 that can be upgraded over time to meet changing mission requirements,” Conroy said in a statement.