ASB Avionics LLC Contract To Modify SOFIA 747SP Aircraft

"SOFIA" NASA's B747SP

ASB Avionics LLC (ASB) under contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will upgrade the flight deck avionics of NASA’s 747SP operating as the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA).

NASA 747SP SOFIA
ASB who offers a Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS), Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) for C-130/L-382 aircraft and will be applying this proven design to upgrade flight deck instrumentation, navigation, and spatial sensors.

ASB Avionics’ Proposed SOFIA Avionics Upgrade Panel The ASB upgrade is centered on the 4-display Honeywell Control Display System for Retrofit (CDS/R) Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS), triple Micro Inertial Reference Sensors (μIRS), triple Flight Management System (FMS), dual Global Positioning System receivers (GPS), and navigation sensors. The high Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF), and low acquisition costs help in reducing Life Cycle Costs (LCC) and improving functionality, safety, and useful life of the SOFIA airframe.

For more on the SOFIA observatory, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/sofia
For more about NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden

UCAR Awards ASB Avionics LLC Contract To Modify NCAR EC-130Q Aircraft

NCAR EC-130Q Hercules

ASB Avionics LLC (ASB) under contract with the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) is performing ASB’s FAA Certified, Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS), Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) on National Center for Atmospheric Research’s (NCAR) EC-130Q research aircraft.

The ASB AMP is centered on the 5-display Honeywell Control Display System for Retrofit (CDS/R) Electronic Flight Instrument System/Automatic Flight Control System (EFIS/AFCS), triple Micro Inertial Reference Sensors (µIRS), triple Flight Management System (FMS), dual Global Positioning System receivers (GPS), an ASB developed Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System (EICAS), and Dual Communication/Navigation/Surveillance systems (CNS).

The ASB AMP replaces all existing analog flight director, altimetric, and engine displays, autopilot and flight director components, and existing CNS components, substantially reducing Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) and wire count. The high Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF), low acquisition costs, and auto-flight characteristic improvements help in reducing Life Cycle Costs (LCC) and improving functionality, safety, and useful life of the NCAR EC-130Q airframe.

ASB’s COTS AMP includes dual digital Air Data Computers (ADC), TCAS-II, EGPWS, integration of the existing C-Band radar, and replaces the existing pitot/static sensors. Also included are Advanced File Graphics Servers (AFGS) and dorsal mounted HF Shunt Antenna. The flexible architecture of the CDS/R-AFCS allows for future growth to accommodate changes in civil or Government air operating regulations.

NCAR
The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) based in Bolder, CO, USA, conducts collaborative research in atmospheric and Earth system science, and provides a broad array of tools and technologies to the scientific community, including research, supercomputers, and instrumented aircraft and observing systems. The NCAR EC-130Q Hercules aircraft supports observational research studies of atmospheric chemistry, cloud physics, mesoscale meteorology, boundary-layer dynamics, air-sea interactions, oceanography, and other fields within the atmospheric sciences.

UCAR
The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) based in Bolder, CO, USA, promotes partnership in a collaborative community dedicated to understanding the atmosphere and the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun's core. The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research under sponsorship by the National Science Foundation.

NSF
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2010, its budget is about $6.9 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives over 45,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes over 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

Dual Digital Automatic Flight Control System For L-382/C-130 Hercules Aircraft

L-382 CDS/R Instrument panel with Digital Flight Control System

On October 16, 2009 ASB received FAA approval to amend its Supplemental Type Certificate (STC #ST01162LA) to add a Dual Digital Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) to its existing 5-display Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) suite.

The amended STC replaces obsolete analog flight director/autopilot systems prevalent in existing Lockheed L-382 and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.

The AFCS, based on Honeywell’s Primus 1000 product line, will complement ASB’s previously FAA certified Honeywell Control Display System for Retrofit (CDS/R) Electronics Flight Instrument System (EFIS) and ASB developed Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System (EICAS). With the latest amendment, the ASB AMP replaces all existing analog flight director displays and autopilot components, substantially reducing Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) and wire count. The high Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF), low acquisition costs, and auto-flight characteristic improvements will help in reducing Life Cycle Costs (LCC) and improve the functionality, safety, and useful life of legacy L-382/C-130 airframes.

According to Jose Hernandez, General Manager of Tepper Aviation, Inc., “Improved flight characteristics include automatic altitude select, more accurate altitude and course capture. It also is able to maintained desired altitude during all flap cycles within 25 feet. The system includes four functions of vertical and horizontal navigation packaged in a single highly visible and user friendly unit. The flight control system has been tested on all facets of instrument flying at a success rate of 100%. The improved functionality of the system will increase the useful life of legacy L382 aircraft into the indefinite future.”

ASB’s AMP also includes dual digital Air Data Computers (ADC), triple Inertial Reference Sensors (IRS), dual Global Positioning System (GPS) based Flight Management Systems (FMS), dual Communication/Navigation/Surveillance (CNS), TCAS-II, EGPWS, Weather Radar, and replaces the existing pitot/static sensors on earlier serial numbered aircraft. Also available are optional Advanced File Graphics Servers (AFGS) and dorsal mounted HF Shunt Antenna. The flexible architecture of the CDS/R-AFCS allows for future growth and alternate CNS, FMS, INS, and radar selections to accommodate civil or Government applications.