Becker Avionics’ DVCS6100 Digital Audio System was recently selected by the Fairfax County Police Helicopter Division for integration into their new Bell 429 helicopter. Their new aircraft is currently undergoing completion at Paradigm Aerospace Corporation (PAC) in Mt. Pleasant, PA. The DVCS6100 was chosen by Fairfax County PD due to its unique ability to effectively manage and control all audio sources in the helicopter, to include the array of tactical frequencies required by their mission. The DVCS6100 manages all transceivers, receivers and audio warning sources in one central system and provides simulcast capabilities on 8 channels. Becker’s Digital multichannel audio and intercom system, with its software configurable profiles, provides the flexibility to specifically customize the system to meet the demanding multi-role operational requirements of Fairfax County PD.

Brett Gardner, Director of Sales and Marketing at Becker Avionics, commented, “We are excited Fairfax County Police selected our Digital Audio system for their new Bell 429 light-twin helicopter. Our DVCS product will significantly enhance the air support mission capabilities of this aircraft – we’re really looking forward to seeing it go into service by the end of summer.”

About the DVCS6100
The DVCS6100 design provides the customer with ability to match a wide range of operational requirements with only one system. The built-in scalability and flexibility reduces not only the cost and time requirements for constant re-engineering and certification of a tailored system solution, but also reduces the learning curve for integration, maintenance and troubleshooting time. Through software programming options, the system is both easily and quickly configurable to individual customer requirements, thus saving time and money.

The DVCS’ open system architecture technology provides for operational comfort and superior voice quality, ensuring that almost any customer requirement can be met, while providing crystal clear communication for crew and passengers. Becker Avionics focuses on meeting individual requirements with the highest commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. The state-of-the-art Digital DVCS6100 will enhance the effectiveness of any aerial platform. When compared to a legacy analog audio system, Digital Technology provides simplified installation, improved performance, reduced wiring and weight, along with reduced installation and maintenance costs. Furthermore, the comprehensive built-in-test (BIT) feature enables line maintenance crews to easily diagnose/isolate failures and replace system components quickly.

No matter what the mission; from Police, EMS and Air Rescue, to passenger transport and surveillance or utility operations, the Becker Digital Audio system ensures a more modern and capable aerial platform.

DVCS6100 Digital Audio System Features
The DVCS6100 has been designed for both rotary and fixed-wing applications. The product fully reflects Becker Avionics’ proven know-how of more than four decades in audio system development for the aerospace industry.  Since the market introduction of the 1st DVCS generation, 800 systems have been delivered, with all achieving outstanding field reliability.  Our continuous product improvement program has made the DVCS6100 another Becker Avionics success story.

Becker’s Digital Audio technology is superior to any analog system, as it offers crystal-clear voice communication quality, a proven Man-Machine-Interface (MMI), outstanding reliability, scalability and flexibility, and is software configurable. The main system components of the DVCS6100 system are the Remote Electronic Unit (REU) 6100, the Audio Control Unit (ACU) 6100, and the optional Intercom Amplifier IC3100.

The product offers up to 8 communication transmit (TX) and up to 8 receiver (RX) channels, an integrated warning tone generator for up to 8 different signals, an amplifier for 2 cockpit speakers, as well as interfaces for 2 Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVR), and a Public Address Amplifier (PA).

Up to 6 ACU’s can be operated together with one REU. Each unit can be configured with the included software to provide complete adjustment across different on-board systems. The system also meets the highest standards for night operation under NVG and military conditions. The ACU6100 is available with NVIS green (MIL-STD 3009 Green B) and white Backlight, and offers emergency and slaved mode operation.

Bottom line, the DVCS6100 represents a unique mission support tool that outperforms the competition. Becker Avionics’ DVCS6100 provides ‘best in class’ performance. Becker Avionics – the leader in commercially certified Digital intercoms!

About Fairfax County PD
Fairfax County lies immediately west of Washington DC in northern Virginia. A largely urban area covering some 400 sq miles, it is home to more than a million people and a center for high-tech and government-related businesses. The Fairfax County Police Helicopter Division was initially launched in 1972, but has had a full-time aviation unit since 1982. The unit has been flying two Bell 407’s for the last ten-plus years, along with recently purchasing a new Bell 429 light-twin helicopter. Law enforcement missions constitute the majority of the missions flown by the Helicopter Division each year. The unit is composed of six pilots (two sworn officers and four civilian), 10 flight officers who serve as EMTs and operate the helicopter’s thermal cameras, a mechanic and unit Commander, Lt. Andy Hill. Their unit flies between one and two regular patrols daily and sometimes gets called for medevac missions several times a day. In 2010, the unit airlifted 92 patients to local hospitals. In 2010, the unit flew 1,204 total missions.

As in any police department with a rotary-wing component, the division supports ground patrols as they investigate robberies, suspicious events and burglaries. Other typical missions include helping to locate missing persons, monitoring public gatherings and assisting in capturing fugitives. The Helicopter Division members train regularly with dive teams, and tactical teams in case use of force from the air is ever called for. With its trained paramedics, the unit can serve as an advanced-level medical provider at a scene. Medevac operations run at around 10% of their total unit missions.

About Becker Avionics
Becker Avionics is a privately held high-tech company that develops, manufactures and distributes the latest communications, navigation, surveillance and search & rescue equipment for airborne and ground applications.

Becker Avionics has a longstanding history of over 50 years in providing equipment to General and Corporate Aviation, ATC, law enforcement and military organizations around the world. In order to support international market requirements the Company has established branches around the world. Becker Avionics supports an extensive customer base, such as, but not limited to

Eurocopter, EADS, Airbus, British Aerospace, ATR, CASA, RUAG, Xi’an Aircraft Corporation, AgustaWestland, Pilatus, German Air Force, Navy and Army, German Border Patrol, German Police, Austrian Army and Police, Swiss Air Force, Dutch Police, Security Civil, Irish Air Corps, Egyptian Navy, Indonesian Navy, Portuguese Air Force, US Army, US Air Force, US Navy and US Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol, etc. For more information see:  www.beckerusa.com or  www.becker-avionics.com

HeliHub.com editor note – Fairfax County currently operate two Bell 407s.  These are on an eight year replacement cycle with two Bell 429s due for delivery, one in FY2011 and one in FY2012. [File photo]