Next Generation Avionics
Solutions for Thailand and Others
A Summary of the Thailand C-130 Avionics Upgrade Program
Chad Williams
Rockwell Collins, Inc.
319-295-7795 cmwilli1@rockwellcollins.com

Thailand C-130 Avionics
Upgrade Program (AUP)
• The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) and Thai Aviation Industries
(TAI) selected Rockwell Collins as Prime Contractor to upgrade
12 Royal Thai Air Force C-130H/H-30 aircraft in September
2006

Objectives for
Thailand C-130 AUP
• Reduce obsolescence issues of procuring spare parts for existing C-130 components
• Improve CNS/ATM capabilities
• Reduce avionics maintenance costs
• Provide new Flight Management System
• Reduce pilot workload
• Allow flights between countries under ICAO regulations
• Support both day and night operations

Rockwell Collins’
Responsibilities
Engineering Design
And Development
Installation Design
Onsite Field Service &
Logistics Support
Ground &
Flight Testing
System Integration
Technical
Publications
Lab/Bench Test
- S/W Formal Qual. Testing
A-Kit & B-Kit Hardware
Deliveries
Aircraft Installation
- RC Field Service Staff
- TAI Install Technicians
Pilot &
Maintenance
Training

Thailand C-130
Program Schedule
Oct-06 Jan-07 Apr-07 Jul-07 Oct-07 Jan-08 Apr-08 Jul-08 Oct-08 Jan-09 Apr-09 Jul-09 Oct-09 Jan-10 Apr-10 Jul-10 Oct-10 Jan-11
Contract
Award
Oct 2006
Avionics Design & Development
12 Months
Installation Design
8 Months
Prototype
Installation
6 months
Aircraft
Testing
Production Aircraft Modifications
• Major Milestones
– Contract Award – Oct 2006
– First Flight – April 2008
– Prototype Complete – August 2008
• As of Sept 2010, 9 out of 12 aircraft successfully modified and back in operation
• All 12 aircraft scheduled to be completed by April 2011

Aircraft Modification
• Installation Being Performed at Takhli Air Force Base in Thailand

Aircraft Modification
• Onsite Wire Harness Fabrication
Capability
• Onsite Sheet Metal Modification and Fabrication Capability

Thailand C-130 Cockpit
(Before Modification)

Thailand C-130 Cockpit
(After Modification)

Thailand C-130
Installation Team

Rockwell Collins
Flight2 TM Avionics System

Thailand C-130
Systems Upgraded
• Flight Management System
– CARP/HARP, Search &
Rescue Patterns, Integrated
Control of Systems, RNP-0.3
• Multi-function Displays
– LRU Reduction of 60%
• Autopilot System
– TSO certification
• Navigation Systems
– Air Data Computer
– Inertial Navigation Unit
– VOR/ILS/GPS
– Radio Altimeter
– DME
• Communication Systems
V/UHF
HF
SATCOM
Intercommunication Sys
• Surveillance Systems
Weather Radar
TCAS
TAWS
Mode S
Digital Map
• Emergency Systems
ELT
Standby Instrument

Pilot/Flight Engineer
Training Class

System Integration
Laboratory (SIL)
• SIL Delivered to Thailand in June 2008 to Enhance Pilot and
Maintenance Training
• Assist RTAF/TAI in Avionics Troubleshooting and Repair

Flight2 TM Benefits
• Meets all current and known future CNS/ATM requirements
– Capable of evolving for future unknown requirements
• Scalable
– Designed to meet multiple price points and capabilities
• Configurable
– Easily adaptable to unique customer requirements
• Large Baseline
– Over 150 C-130’s on contract to draw from for software, system, and installation design (>100 in operational service)
– Over 2000 fixed and rotary wing aircraft in operation with variation of the baseline Flight2 TM
• Obsolescence Management
– Obsolete parts are managed and resolved without impacting customer
– Common building blocks across hardware components ensures long term supportability and repair

CNS/ATM Requirements
Communication
•
•
•
VHF Radio 8.33 kHz Spacing
Mode S Level 2 Enhanced Surveillance
Multiple ATC Data Links SATCOM
• VDL Mode 2
Navigation
• FMI: Frequency Modulation Immunity
• RNP: Increased Navigation Accuracy
• RVSM: Reduced Vertical Separation
• RNAV: Flexible Routings
Surveillance
•
•
•
Mode S
ACAS II: Airborne Collision Avoidance
TAWS: Terrain Warning
ADS: Auto Position Broadcast
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007+ 2009+ 2010+ 2012+ 2015+ 2025+
NATS
RVSM
Europe
BRNAV
(RNP-5)
Pacific
RNP-10
Europe
7 States
VHF 8.33
Pacific
RVSM
Europe
ACAS II
WATRS
RVSM
Europe
P-ILS
Europe
RVSM
ATN/VDL2
Europe
Mode S
Elem
Surveillance
U.S.
RVSM
Europe
ELT
Solutions for CNS/ATM Challenges Need to Meet the Required IOC Dates
Pacific
CPDLC
ADS-A
Europe
All VHF
8.33
P-RNAV
SBAS CAT I
TAWS
U.S.
Mode S
TAWS
Europe
Pacific
RNP-4
GBAS
Cat I
Europe
Mode S
Enhanced
Surveillance
Europe
ATN/VDL2
RNP RNAV
U.S.
RNP RNAV
Europe
CPDLC
Europe
GBAS
Cat II&III
VDL4
U.S.
GBAS
Europe
4D RNAV
U.S.
RNP-2
(Requires WAAS)
+ LPV
Approaches
Europe/U.S./Pacific
Civil SATCOM D/L & Voice
2010-2011
ADS-B
Europe/U.S./NAT
Europe
RTA<30 sec
2007-2010 ADS-C

Scalable to Mission
Requirements
 Strategic Airlift
 Unrestricted Global
Airspace Access
 Commercial & Remote
Operations





Mission
Tactical Airlift
Combat Delivery
Humanitarian Aid
Remote Operations
Evacuations
 Special Missions
 Air to Air Refueling
 Search and Rescue
 Surveillance
Requirements
 Worldwide CNS/ATM
 BRNAV
 RNP NAV
 Data Link
 Long Range Comm
 Future CNS/ATM
Functionality
 8.33KHz Spacing
 P-ILS, TCAS II
 ENH Surv ,ADS-B
 Commercial FMS/GPS
 SIDS/STARS
 Digital AP / ADC
 HF and/or SATCOM
 VDL, Displays
 HARP / CARP
 M/TLS or GPS/Tactical
Approaches
 Defensive EW Systems
 MIL FMS / GPS
 HF and/or SATCOM
 Integrated Warning &
Displays
 Radar, TAWS, Dig Map
 Head UP Displays
 MIL Patterns
 Search Patterns
 COMMS / DL
 Integrated Sensors
 MIL FMS / GPS
 HFDL / SATCOM
 Mission Displays
 HUD / Dig Map
Equipment
 ARC-210 or Talon
 HF Radio
 SATCOM
 Datalink
 VOR/ILS/GPS
 ICS
 Inertial Nav Unit
 Air Data
 Radio Altimeter
 DME
 Weather Radar
 TCAS
 EGPWS
 Transponder
 Digital Map
 Autopilot
 Displays
 Engine Instruments
 HUD
 Flight Management

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Customized for Variable
CNS/ATM Requirements

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Rockwell Collins
Integration Experience

Engine Instrument
Display System
• Standard 32 engine instruments
• Hydraulics (Aileron,
Elevator, Rudder, Flaps)
• Multiple
Caution/Warnings
• Condense to single display to depict whatever video input connected (WXR,
Digmap, Camera, etc)
• Can pay for itself in maintenance savings in one year

Benefits of Flight2 TM
Avionics Upgrade
Operational & Safety Benefits
• Compliance with Civil aviation regulatory requirements through 2020
• Increased operational readiness for aircraft & aircrews
• Reduced pilot workload due to integrated displays & controls
• Increased safety margins due to airdrop accuracy
• Increased situational awareness/safety during flight
• Enhanced interoperability with NATO forces
Cost Benefits
• Decreased maintenance and repair costs
• Open Systems Architecture allows for future technology updates
• Increased navigational accuracy decreases missed approaches
• Fuel savings due to availability of preferred routings
• Increased pilot proficiency reduces training costs
• Single Avionics Integrator minimizes life cycle costs
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