Northrop to supply navigation system for Bell 412 helicopter

Bell Helicopter has signed an agreement with Northrop Grumman for supply of LCR-100 Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS) for the Bell 412 helicopter through 2017.

Northrop Grumman LITEF managing director EckehardtKeip said, "This extension of our long-term agreement strengthens Northrop Grumman’s commitment to Bell Helicopter and we look forward to continuing our support of this proven platform."

Northrop Grumman Navigation and Maritime Systems Division’s subsidiary Northrop Grumman LITEF-built LCR-100 AHRS is currently operation on-board numerous rotorcraft and fixed-wing platforms.

Designed to provide the aircraft with critical flight control and navigation data, the LCR-100 system feature a fibre-optic gyro-based inertial measurement unit and an advanced micro-electromechanical system triad accelerometer.

In addition to enabling improved operation at extreme latitudes, it also reduces compass errors in high-performance directional gyro mode while exceeding the Technical Standard Order/ European Technical Standard Order (TSO/ETSO) C5e/f non-magnetic, gyro-stabilised drift requirement.

Fitted with a cabin that is adaptable for any mission, the helicopter can accommodate 13 passengers and a crew of two and is certified for single pilot IFR with a dual digital automatic flight control system.

Additional features of the helicopter include BLR Strake and FastFin to provide improved hover, cross-wind and hot and high performance.

Image: Northrop Grumman’s LCR-100 attitude and heading reference system. Photo: Northrop Grumman Corp.