18 September, 2018: Field Aerospace, an industry leader in the design, integration, manufacture, installation, flight test, and certification of interior and exterior aircraft modifications and avionics upgrade programmes has started flight deck modernization of the first of 178 US Air Force (USAF) T-1A trainer aircraft. All 178 aircraft, in addition to 30 training devices, will receive this avionics upgrade.
Field Aerospace’s $155.7 million T-1A contract with the USAF includes upgrading the avionics on the entire fleet and 30 training devices to a Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21TM system. Field Aerospace, with subcontractors Nextant Aerospace, Rockwell Collins, HEBCO, and FlightSafety International, will deliver all programmatic development, certification, equipment, installation, and training. It is a turnkey avionics modification programme that will standardise the flight deck and classroom simulator training.
This upgrade enables the Air Force to meet the FAA’s Automatic Dependent Surveillance -Broadcast (ADS-B) Out mandate to support the training aircraft’s standing requirement to access the National Airspace System.