Boeing Announces Supplier Agreement with Rockwell Collins for Combat Search and Rescue Program

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has announced an agreement with Rockwell Collins, Inc. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to provide the avionics systems for the proposed HH-47 Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) helicopter program for the U.S. Air Force.

"The Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System advanced digital cockpit in use today will meet the needs of current and future CSAR missions," said Rick Lemaster, Boeing HH-47 program manager. "The addition of Rockwell Collins to our supplier network is consistent with our strategy of providing a low-risk, best-value solution for the U.S. Air Force."

Rockwell Collins' Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) incorporates 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 lifecycle costs and lower costs for technology insertion and supportability.

"Our CAAS solution is designed to deliver the enhanced situational awareness pilots require in today's battlespace," said Woody Hogle, vice president and general manager of Integrated Systems for Rockwell Collins. "The systems also can be upgraded to meet the capabilities of emerging technology, which provides significant cost benefits over the life of these platforms."

CSAR-X is a U.S. Air Force initiative to procure more capable and survivable aircraft able to recover isolated personnel from hostile or denied territory. The tandem rotor, heavy lift, high altitude HH-47 is based on the CH/MH-47 Chinook tandem rotor transport helicopter, with performance characteristics and capabilities that have been widely demonstrated in the ongoing war on terrorism and in numerous U.S. and international humanitarian relief operations.