Rockwell Collins recently won a follow-on service and support contract for its Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) on the U.S. Army’s CH-47F helicopter fleet. The contract covers up to 1,910 units by 2021.

“Since its original installation, CAAS continues to enable Army aviation to safely perform highly demanding missions worldwide,” said Thierry Tosi, vice president and general manager, Service Solutions for Rockwell Collins. “With this service contract, we’re providing lifetime value to the U.S. Army by sustaining and supporting these mission critical avionics. Supporting this contract keeps CH-47F helicopters flying so soldiers can accomplish their missions.”

Originally fielded on the CH-47F aircraft in 2007, Rockwell Collins’ CAAS integrates multiple communications, navigation and mission subsystems through its flexible Flight2™ system. The CAAS solution utilizes common, reusable processing elements in each piece of hardware and incorporates an open systems architecture based on commercial standards. The commonality of hardware components is designed to provide lower total life cycle cost and reduce expenditures for technology insertion and supportability.

Using developed test equipment and OEM repair parts, Rockwell Collins’ trained and experienced technicians in the company’s Atlanta Service Center provide customers efficient and cost effective repairs, which shortens repair turnaround time and maximizes helicopter operation.

Initially developed for the Special Operations Forces’ MH-47 and MH-60 helicopter fleets, Rockwell Collins’ CAAS solution has also been selected by U.S. forces for the MH-60T, MH-65E, VH-60N and CH-53K, as well as by Chinook helicopter operators in over eight international countries.