NASA orders avionics and autopilot upgrade for research aircraft

NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center operates a Beechcraft B200 aircraft, tail number N801NA, serial number BB-1164. The current avionics and autopilot suite, a critical aircraft system that projects rely on for accuracy, on the aircraft has been problematic for reliable operation and have been known to cause issues during research flight campaigns. Additionally, the aircraft needs RVSM capability, ADS-B In/Out, and TCAS/TAWS capabilities. “These are requirements for future projects, and they need to be addressed,” NASA officials said in contract documents released Wednesday.

The avionics and autopilot upgrade to N801NA will include:

• G1000 Platinum Package with Synthetic Vision, including RVSM capabilities. Includes standby ADI, airspeed indicators and altimeter. Headset compatible, tie-in to audio panel.
• Weather Radar upgrade (GWX-70).
• ADS-B In/Out upgrade.
• TCAS/TAWS upgrade, replace Skywatch 497 with Garmin GTW 825.
• ADF compatible (currently ADF-60, upgrade to ADF-60A for compatibility with G1000).
• Tie in the existing UHF radio to the G1000 suite.
• Update the current DME-40s and Radio Altimeter (not compatible with G1000) to a DME-42 and Garmin Radio Altimeter and tie-in to G1000 package.
• Retain the existing equipment that was removed to keep as spares for other B200 aircraft.

The work necessary to complete the avionics and autopilot upgrades shall be completed at a contractor’s facility.

All work should be completed within 20 business days of the arrival of N801NA to the contractor.

New autopilot for NASA aircraft fleet will cost $9.5 million

NASA is moving forward with plans to have American Systems Corp. (ASC) finish development of an autopilot for the agency's T-38 and WB-57 aircraft. The estimated cost of the work is $9.5 million, according to contract documents released on Friday through the Federal Business Opportunities website.

In December, NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, announced its intentions to continue development of a autopilot system for their T-38 and WB-57 aircraft with ASC as the prime contractor.

“A synopsis [for the autopilot work] was posted on Dec. 7, 2012, which resulted in one inquiry from Chippewa Aerospace Inc.,” NASA said in contract documents this week. “After further communications with the government, this potential source acknowledged that they could not satisfy the procurement requirements and withdrew any further interest in serving as the prime contractor.”

NASA intends to integrate the new autopilot system into its 21 T-38 jets to comply with Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) equipment requirements. RVSM compliance is a Federal Aviation Administration requirement to fly in certain airspace. Lack of RVSM compliance restricts the ability of the T-38 to fly in RVSM airspace and limits the full potential of T-38 fuel efficiency. “No operational T-38 autopilot system currently exists in any T-38 fleet, domestically or internationally,” NASA said.

T-38N Talon

The T-38 Talon is a two-seat, twin turbojet, swept-wing, supersonic aircraft originally designed for the United States Air Force (USAF) as a high performance trainer and is fully aerobatic with loop and roll flight capabilities. NASA uses a modified version of the USAF T-38A aircraft (designated the T-38N) primarily for astronaut proficiency training.

WB-57F Canberra

The WB-57F Canberra is a mid-wing, high altitude, long-range aircraft capable of operation for extended periods of time. Due to high altitude performance requirements, an autopilot is essential to ensure the WB-57F stays within certain limited windows of performance. The WB-57F fleet currently has operational autopilots installed, but due to obsolescence issues the autopilot systems have become unsustainable.

The agency will continue to monitor the market for companies that have developed technologies that can meet the requirements of the autopilot programs, but at that this time, they will continue development with ASC.

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