Bohemia, NY – September 2024 – North Atlantic Industries (NAI), a leading supplier of rugged embedded electronics and computing systems, is pleased to announce that its SIU36S Rugged COTS System has been selected by Ace Aeronautics for integration into the UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters as part of the Austrian Air Force Black Hawk Fleet Expansion Program. This selection underscores the SIU36S's enhanced processing capacity, configurability, adaptability, and modularity.

The SIU36S, a second-generation mission computer, is designed with a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) and aligns with the Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA™). Integrated into the ACEDECK VL-60—the most advanced commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) flight deck available—the SIU36S not only enhances current capabilities but also provides spare capacity for future growth.

Ace Aeronautics holds the exclusive FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the integration of the ACEDECK VL-60 into UH-60/S-70 helicopters. This STC configuration serves as the baseline for custom configurations currently operational with three foreign militaries, including two engaged in combat in Ukraine.

Ace Aeronautics holds the exclusive FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the integration of the ACEDECK VL-60 into UH-60/S-70 helicopters. This STC configuration serves as the baseline for custom configurations currently operational with three foreign militaries, including two engaged in combat in Ukraine.

NAI’s SIU36S is a critical component of the ACEDECK VL-60, delivering real-time processing and control for tactical mission capabilities. In partnership with Craft Designs, Inc. (CDI), the SIU36S integrates advanced functions such as real-time aircraft performance calculations, enhanced situational awareness, video processing from Electro-Optical/Infrared sensors and L3Harris Technologies’ FliteScene digital moving maps. The SIU36S also serves as a bus controller for tactical systems like aircraft survivability, EGIs, and radios. CDI integrates these capabilities within the controls and displays of the ACEDECK VL-60, making it the most advanced civil and tactical flight deck for Black Hawks.

The SIU36S’s robust architecture supports mission-critical functions requiring high-density I/O, communications, and Ethernet switching. Leveraging NAI’s Configurable Open Systems Architecture™ (COSA®), the SIU36S offers rapid deployment solutions optimized for size, weight, and power (SWaP), making it ideal for demanding military aerospace applications.

With flexible processing options, the SIU36S supports processors such as the Freescale PowerPC™ QorIQ® T2080, Intel® Core™ i7 Tiger Lake, and ARM® Cortex®-A53 or -A72. It also features dedicated HD38999 I/O connectors and options including 4x HD-BNC connectors for 3G SDI video I/O and a fiber optic connector for Ethernet switch and TSN interfaces.

“The selection of the SIU36S by Ace Aeronautics for the UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters is a testament to the advanced capabilities and reliability of our products,” said Lino Massafra, VP of Sales and Marketing at NAI. “We are proud to enhance the operational effectiveness and readiness of the Austrian Air Force’s Black Hawk fleet.”

The SIU36S is designed to operate reliably in extreme conditions, meeting stringent environmental and EMI/EMC specifications, including MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-1275, and MIL-STD-704. It supports various real-time operating systems, ensuring robust performance in the most challenging environments.

This integration marks a significant milestone in NAI’s commitment to providing high-performance, reliable solutions for military and aerospace applications. The UH-60L Black Hawk will greatly benefit from the SIU36S’s advanced capabilities, enhancing mission effectiveness and operational readiness for years to come.