Brenda Marie Rivers
The U.S. Air Force’s first T-1A Jayhawk trainer fitted with a Collins Aerospace-built integrated avionics system flew for the first time last week from a facility operated by Field Aerospace.
The aircraft, which features Collins Aerospace’s Pro Line 21 system, completed its maiden flight as part of the Air Force’s Avionics Modernization Program, the company said Tuesday.
A consortium composed of Field Aerospace, Collins Aerospace, FlightSafety International and Nextant Aerospace won a potential $155.7M contract last year to update the avionics systems of 178 T-1A trainers.
The Field Aerospace-led team will also modernize aircraft flight decks and integrate Pro Line 21 into 14 part-task training aircraft and 16 operational flight trainers.
Dave Schreck, vice president and general manager for military avionics and helicopters at Collins Aerospace, said the company has a long history of delivering avionics technology to support military and special mission aircraft modernization efforts.
More than 5K aircraft currently use Pro Line 21 for avionics and situational awareness functions.
