Esterline CMC Electronics (CMC) announced the delivery of the second of two C-130 aircraft 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 was 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 solutioncomprising 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.