Rockwell Collins recently completed the first installation of the next generation ARC-210 Gen5 radio on an HH-60G Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) helicopter for the U.S. Air Force Air National Guard (ANG), a key milestone in the HH-60G Avionics Communications Suite Upgrade Program.
The first HH-60G modification was completed on schedule at the Rockwell Collins Aircraft Certification Center at the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids. The modification included installing four ARC-210 Gen5 receiver-transmitters on the aircraft.
“This program is a perfect example of how government and industry should work together,” said Lt. Col. Jeffery Peterson, who is based with the Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve Test Center.
“With the addition of the next generation, modernized ARC-210 Gen5 radio, the HH-60G platform will have greater communication capabilities that will play a vital role in CSAR along with being ready for new IP-based networking waveforms and connectivity in the future,” said Bob Haag, vice president and general manager of Communication and Navigation Products for Rockwell Collins.
Haag added that Rockwell Collins is coordinating a demonstration in the very near future of the ARC-210 Gen5 radio’s capability to host the Soldier Radio Waveform. This demonstration will showcase how the utility of airborne platforms can be enhanced with the addition of this networking waveform to coordinate with ground personnel.
The ARC-210 Gen5 radio provides a form and fit replacement for existing ARC-210 radios, which are currently installed on more than 180 different platform types in 45 countries worldwide. The ARC-210 Gen5 radio features a software-defined Multi-Waveform Architecture, which is an optimized Software Communications Architecture with embedded programmable next generation crypto, a classified Ethernet data interface, and an extended frequency range to 941 MHz.