Garmin Integrated Flight Deck Selected for Supersonic Fighter Aircraft

Tactical Air Support, Inc. (TacAir) has selected a tandem Garmin integrated flight deck for its fleet of supersonic F-5 fighter aircraft. This configuration, which consists of a G3000 flight display and dual Garmin touchscreen controllers (GTCs), boasts an open architecture design that seamlessly integrates with typical mission equipment and hardware so pilots experience a single integrated cockpit system. Utilizing this rapidly deployable solution, the first flight of the Garmin-equipped F-5 is expected later this year.

“We are excited to team with TacAir as the G3000 system in the F-5 adds to the growing adoption of a tandem integrated flight deck from Garmin,” said Carl Wolf, vice president of aviation marketing and sales. “It is an honor to work with such a talented organization and dedicated individuals who have decades of defense experience. We look forward to supporting their operations in the F-5 with a comprehensive avionics upgrade that provides them with the best-in-class flight deck technology available on the market.”

“TacAir conducted an industry-wide search for avionics and display options to support ADAIR and training contracts,” said Archie Rippeto, TacAir vice president air operations. “The Garmin solution gave us an outstanding solution to support not only our current requirements, but also provided the ability to integrate future requirements – our pilots can’t wait to get this cockpit on range.”

Garmin G3000 single, or tandem seating cockpit configuration.

The F-5 is a supersonic, multi-role tactical fighter and attack aircraft that provides simulated air-to-air combat training, close-air support training, tactics development and evaluation support. Utilized by TacAir in an aggressor training role, the upgraded F-5 will economically evolve these aircraft into an advanced tactical fleet with sensor and system capabilities similar to current fighter aircraft.

The modular G3000 integrated flight deck boasts a large and vibrant, high-resolution flight display that seamlessly interfaces to the F-5’s existing mission computer, enabling advanced mapping, tactical radio capabilities, radar display and more. The bezel keys, GTCs and L3 ForceX mission system serve as the pilot interface to the flight display, and the touchscreen controllers incorporate infrared technology so pilots can use gloves in the cockpit. The G3000 has an open architecture that enables seamless mission computer, sensors and systems integration and easily facilitates future upgrades without impacting the avionics.

The NVG-compatible G3000 contains modern, state-of-the-art synthetic vision technology (SVT) that blends an “out-the-window” view of surroundings on the primary flight display, which is particularly helpful during nighttime operations or in terrain-prone environments. The G3000 also has worldwide communication, navigation, surveillance and air traffic management (CNS/ATM) capabilities. Additional features within the G3000 integrated flight deck on the F-5 include, Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS), global Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) traffic and weather, as well as a video input.

Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) Garmin hardware and software allows TacAir to take advantage of technological advances, cost savings and rapid procurement. These COTS solutions offer significant opportunities in reduced development time, faster integration of new technology and lower life-cycle costs. The G3000, along with many other Garmin solutions, also interface with a wide range of third-party products using industry standard protocols, reducing cost and streamlining installation complexity.

For additional information regarding our defense, commercial or business aviation solutions, visit www.garmin.com/aviation.

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