September 9, 2005 – Flight Safety International (FSI) has ordered two ASTi Digital Audio Communications Systems (DACS) for use in UH-1Y Iroquois and AH-1Z Super Cobra Flight Training Devices (FTDs) to be installed at MCAS Camp Pendleton. The DACS will realize a high-fidelity communications and environmental sound cueing environment for the flight simulators, which are part of the Marine Corps H-1 Upgrade Program. As part of this contract, ASTi will provide FSI with complete engineering services package, including development of custom simulation models, on-site integration support and technical training services.

The ASTi DACS meet all of the Marines’ H-1 Upgrade Program communications and aural cue requirements. Key features include:

• Independently controlled sets of simulated radios for aircraft crew and instructors. Radios simulate realistic communications locally and between remote simulator sites, across military data networks.
• High-fidelity simulation of AN/ARC-210 radios (3 sets of crew-instructor radios on the UH-1Y and 2 sets of radios on the AH-1Z).
• ASTi’s ARC-210 radio simulation features: UHF/VHF modes, Satcom (Telestra Satcom Server provides variable voice delay and uplink/downlink effects), Have Quick and SINCGARS anti-jamming capability, guard receiver, tactical data link, and relay links through pairs of ARC-210 radios.
• Multiple intercom channels: aircraft crew, area mic (allowing instructors to monitor ambient sounds inside the cockpit), white cell (debrief stations to instructors), simulator maintenance station .
• Other comms/navigation features include: APR-39 Electronic Warfare System tones, TACAN
• ILS, IFF, ATIS, AIM-9 Missile tones, Warning-Caution-Alert tones and synthesized voice prompts.
• High-fidelity environmental aural cues provide FAA Level D equivalent performance.

Under the Marines’ H-1 Upgrade Program, 180 AH-1W and 100 UH-1N helicopters will be remanufactured into latest AH-1Z and UH-1Y configurations. The UH-1Y will receive upgrades to implement performance (higher payload and range) and safety enhancements. The AH-1Z upgrades target its cockpit and weapons/sensor systems. Both of the aircraft will be upgraded to enhance maintainability and survivability.

More H-1 Upgrade Program Information:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/uh-1-upgrades.htm