ARINC's Real-Time Information Display SMARRT Gets an Evaluation for the C-130 Cockpit

Annapolis, Maryland—ARINC Engineering Services, LLC recently demonstrated a new, cost-effective military data link information and color display system designed to enhance battlefield situational awareness and communications in the C-130 cockpit with moving maps, target information, text and data messages.

ARINC provided its SMARRT (Scalable, Modular, Adaptable, Roll-On, Roll-Off, Tactical) data link system for an operational utility evaluation (OUE) April 10-14 by the Air National Guard / Air Force Reserve Test Center (AATC) in Tucson, Arizona.

ARINC’s engineered solution combines commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components with readily available military and data link avionics, to deliver near-real-time moving map displays and Command & Control information to the Pilot and Co-pilot.

“ARINC’s SMARRT system demonstrated full capability to bridge two types of data link used by the Air Force, Link-16 and SADL (Situational Awareness Data-Link),” stated LeRoy Callender, ARINC Program Director. “We have successfully combined COTS systems into a single low-volume package which we feel is technically superior to any existing solutions.”

Built for combat and designed to maximize interoperability between forces, SMARRT can be used to view air and ground targets, analyze military theatre, and communicate with command and control. Its portability and plug-and-play readiness make it easy to use in the field.

The system includes 2 displays in the cockpit, a laptop computer at the Navigator’s station, and connections for an additional laptop on the flight deck or cargo compartment. It monitors the aircraft data bus for positional information and offers both Line-of-Sight (LOS) and Beyond-Line-Of-Sight (BLOS) tactical data link interoperability.

SMARRT also handles USAF standard desktop software application files and provides Data Link File transfer capability. It is optimized for use on the C-130H2 and H3 aircraft used by the Air National Guard (ANG) and Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC), but can be readily adapted to other airframes in the fleet.

ARINC Incorporated, a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, provides communications, engineering and integration solutions for commercial, defense and government customers worldwide. Headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland with regional headquarters in London and Singapore, ARINC is ISO 9001:2008 certified. 

Release: 09-058

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