Writer

Amy Wilder

Brazil’s air force has selected the Garmin G5000H integrated flight deck to modernize the cockpits of 24 Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters, with Ace Aeronautics performing the installations. Brazil will be the fifth military program worldwide to receive the modernized G5000H cockpit configuration for the Black Hawk.
The IFR-certified system uses a modular open systems architecture that allows military operators to integrate mission management, stores management, and other military-grade sensors and systems into a touchscreen-controlled cockpit environment. Garmin’s commercial-off-the-shelf approach enables operators to deploy new technologies rapidly while maintaining lower life cycle costs.
Garmin’s G5000H provides communication, navigation, and surveillance air traffic management capabilities based on an open systems architecture. This design allows mission management systems to integrate with a range of military sensors and communications equipment, while the G5000H displays serve as the pilot interface. Touchscreen controllers also permit gloved operation in the cockpit.
Each UH-60 cockpit will feature four 12-inch high-resolution widescreen displays and four touchscreen controllers as an interface to the integrated flight deck. Two primary flight displays and two multifunction displays support multi-pane capability, allowing pilots to view flight information simultaneously alongside maps, checklists, weather, and other data.
Charts can be displayed across all four screens and are georeferenced, including Garmin FliteCharts terminal approach procedures and SafeTaxi airport diagrams.
Additionally, the upgrade includes helicopter synthetic vision technology (HSVT) that blends and displays a three-dimensional depiction of terrain, obstacles, traffic, and the runway environment. The&nbsp;HSVT image replicates what pilots would see outside the cockpit on a clear day.
The system also incorporates helicopter terrain awareness and warning system (HTAWS) capabilities, displaying obstacles and terrain that may pose threats while providing voice alerts to warn pilots of potential ground hazards.
Included in the G5000H configuration is ADS-B Out to meet global airspace modernization requirements, as well as WAAS GPS.&nbsp;Additional capabilities in the Brazil air force configuration include ADS-B In traffic and weather, worldwide datalink weather solutions that display graphical weather information, including Nexrad, metars, terminal area forecasts, temporary flight restrictions, and winds aloft data.
It also incorporates TCAS II, which combines ADS-B enhanced active and passive surveillance data to identify specific traffic threats and issue resolution advisories when immediate conflicts are detected.
The integrated flight deck interfaces with third-party products such as radios, sensors, and other mission-critical equipment. Weather radar options include the GWX system with storm cell display capabilities, turbulence detection, and ground clutter suppression. The&nbsp;installation also features the GRA 5500 radar altimeter, which provides readouts of above-ground-level altitude even over rough terrain, tree canopies, sand, and choppy water.
Ace Aeronautics completed its first G5000H installation in a UH-60 Black Hawk in 2020. The program has expanded to include multiple military operators globally, with Brazil’s air force joining four other military programs that have selected the modernized cockpit configuration.
The G5000H’s open architecture approach allows operators to add new capabilities as requirements evolve without requiring wholesale replacement of core systems. This modularity reduces long-term ownership costs while ensuring access to current avionics technologies.
By consolidating controls that traditionally required separate panels and switches, the touchscreen interface reduces pilot workload. Large displays and multi-pane capability allow crews to maintain awareness of multiple information sources simultaneously. Georeferenced charts and synthetic vision combine to improve situational awareness.
“Alongside Ace Aeronautics, we’re excited to bring the G5000H integrated flight deck to the Brazilian air force UH-60 helicopters,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin’s v-p of aviation sales, marketing, programs, and support. “This modernization program brings next-generation avionics capabilities and expanded utility to these helicopters. Operators will experience significant reduction in pilot workload, improved levels of situational awareness, as well as modern technologies like HSVT, HTAWS, and more.”

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