US Army UH-60V upgrade, including digital cockpit, finishes initial operational test and evaluation

[rangerrebew]

US Army UH-60V upgrade, including digital cockpit, finishes initial operational test and evaluation

By Garrett Reim
22 April 2020
 
The US Army’s UH-60V upgrade package, which enhances the “L” variant of the Sikorsky Black Hawk, has completed initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E).

Part of the upgrade package, the digital cockpit system, reached IOT&E in September 2019, says its manufacturer Northrop Grumman on 22 April.
 

The US Army had not previously announced the UH-60V reaching the milestone. The service did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The service aims to bring the capabilities of the older UH-60L into closer alignment with its most modern example of the helicopter, the UH-60M. Upgrades include a digital glass cockpit with open architecture to replace the older analog gauges in UH-60L helicopters.

“Cockpit similarity with the UH-60M enables a single Army Black Hawk pilot training programme,” says the Pentagon’s Director Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) office in its 2019 annual report. “Once qualified on the UH-60M, pilots can transition to the UH-60V with minimal additional instruction.”

https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/us-army-uh-60v-upgrade-including-digital-cockpit-finishes-initial-operational-test-and-evaluation/138026.article

[sneakypete]

The problem I have with digital stuff is the tendency for them ALL to go bad when one goes bad.

I am hoping the goobermint had the forsight to insist each digital gauge or control on the choppers is independent of the others.