Rockwell Collins is integrating our Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) solution into the U.S. Marine Corp CH-53E Super Stallion and U.S. Navy MH-53E Sea Dragon fleets, enabling these heavy-lift helicopters to be compatible with worldwide Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) requirements. The primary mission of the CH-53E heavy-lift helicopter is to provide transportation of heavy equipment and supplies during the ship-to-shore movement of an amphibious assault and during subsequent operations ashore. It has also been used in combat search and recovery missions, and battlefield recovery of downed aircraft. Derived from the CH-53E, the MH-53E is capable of towing a variety of mine hunting/sweeping countermeasures systems, as well as performing assault support mission.
The CH/MH-53E CAAS avionics and mission management system leverages prior DoD investments for the U.S. Army’s cargo and utility rotorcraft cockpit system to provide improved flight displays, navigation and communications capabilities. Our innovative hover symbology provides increased safety during operations in degraded visual environments or brown-out conditions. Incorporating Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) compatible multi-function displays, embedded mission processing and redundant high-integrity Ethernet data buses, along with the proven battlefield situational awareness and net-centric connectivity, the CH-53E and MH-53E CAAS equipped aircraft will enable safe, efficient heavy lift operations for tactical and combat support missions around the world.