(Singapore Airshow – February 13, 2012) Esterline CMC Electronics (CMC) is pleased to announce that the second of two C-130 aircraft was formally delivered to the Chilean Air Force (FACH) on November 23, 2011 further to the selection of CMC in the fall of 2009 to provide the complete cockpit avionics systems upgrade of the FACH C-130 fleet. As prime contractor, CMC is responsible for delivery of the complete equipment suite including the supply of turnkey installation kits as well as all in-country activities including touch labour, training and support.

The all-digital cockpit upgrade configuration is based on CMC's "Cockpit 9000" suite, which is built around the company's latest generation Flight Management System (FMS), the CMA-9000, and its industry leading IntegriFlight™ Global Positioning with Wide Area Augmentation System (GPS-WAAS) receiver, known as the CMA-5024. The Cockpit 9000 suite provides FACH with a turnkey, full-cockpit, all-digital solution comprising best-in-class core elements; compliance to worldwide operations within the latest civil airspace environment and enhanced mission effectiveness through advanced tactical features and mission management tools.

The night-vision (NVIS) compatible Cockpit 9000 upgrade will extend the operational life of the aircraft for at least 20 years, allowing the Chilean Air Force’s aircraft to meet all current P-RNAV (precision area navigation) requirements and providing a growth path to meet future air navigation capabilities.

“We are very honoured to work with the Chilean Air Force on this comprehensive modernization program,” said Greg Yeldon, President, Esterline CMC Electronics. He added: “Our Cockpit 9000 suite has been engineered using the most advanced components available today in order to provide operators with unmatched operational reliability and maintainability for long into the future.“

According to Chilean Air Force General Rojas, “We have been very impressed with CMC's flexibility in adapting its Cockpit 9000 to our specific needs while being able to schedule a very rapid installation turnaround. We look forward to experiencing the many operational, safety and economic benefits that this modern cockpit will bring to our C-130 aircraft.“

CMC is a world leader in the avionics upgrade of a wide range of fixed and rotary wing aircraft. For the C-130 platform, CMC has successfully completed more than 100 airframe upgrades for a variety of international customers, including defence organizations in Austria, Brazil, France, Dubai, the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia. CMC provides similar avionics modernization solutions on commercial air transport aircraft such as classic B747, DC-10, MD-80 and A300 aircraft, on numerous military trainers such as the Hawker Beechcraft T-6B and T-6C, the Korea Aerospace Industries KT-1C, the BAE Hawk Mk51 and Mk66, and on helicopters such as the UH-60M Black Hawk. 

Esterline CMC Electronics (www.cmcelectronics.ca) designs and produces leading technology electronics products for the commercial and military aviation markets. CMC’s focus is on delivering innovative cockpit systems integration and avionics solutions to its customers worldwide. Its principal locations are in Montreal, Quebec; Ottawa, Ontario; and Chicago, Illinois. CMC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Esterline Corporation (NYSE:ESL, www.esterline.com), a specialized aerospace and defense company headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. Esterline employs over 10,000 people worldwide.

Mrs. Janka Dvornik
Manager, Communications and Public Relations
CMC Booth - # T87
Telephone : (514) 748-3113
E-Mail: Janka.Dvornik@cmcelectronics.ca