US coast guard HH-65A helicopter avionics block upgrade

The avionics block upgrade program underway for the US Coast Guard HH-65A helicopter is described. The aircraft utilizes a fully integrated avionics suite provided by Collins Avionics and Communications Division of Rockwell International Corporation. This upgrade includes the incorporation and integration of an embedded cockpit voice and flight data recording system and the integration of secure communications and digital encryption standard control. These functions will be performed by programmable interface control units (PICUs). The PICUs have new more powerful processors, and application software can be loaded via the MIL-STD-1553B data bus. The PICUs will replace the two existing system coupler computers (SCCs). The existing cockpit control displays will be replaced by control display navigation units (CDNUs). CDNU application software can also be loaded via the 1553B data bus. The existing mission computer unit (MCU) will be removed, and its functions will be performed by the PICUs and CDNUs