Visualization expert Barco proudly announces that it has just shipped its first ETSO based cockpit visualization solution to the Russian Institute of Aircraft Equipment (NIIAO). NIIAO will integrate Barco's six MFD-2068 Multi-Function Displays and two customized Control Display and Management Systems (CDMS-3802) into the cockpit it developed for the upgraded Beriev BE-200 amphibious firefighting aircraft. The shipment marks a first: no other Russian aircraft features Barco primary flight displays that meet DO-178B, DO254 and DO-160G standards, as well as the rigid standards of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and are compatible with third-party software.

Barco's avionics division and Russian aircraft integrator NIIAO have been working together for over ten years now. Since 2002, Barco's high-grade avionics display units have been the standard cockpit solution for the Beriev BE-200 multifunctional aircraft. When designing an upgrade of that Beriev BE-200, NIIAO and Beriev Aviation Company reconfirmed their trust in Barco's display solutions, on account of their outstanding quality and the good past cooperation with Barco. Equally important in the decision was Barco's unique Modular Open System Architecture (MOSArtTM), which allows the easy integration of third-party applications, such as the cockpit software that NIIAO designed. Last but not least, Barco's knowledge of DO-standards and ETSO design compliancy was a major argument for teaming up with Barco again.

Full level A qualified cockpit visualization 
The Barco cockpit visualization solution that NIIAO chose for the new Beriev-2000 cockpit is ETSO-C113 based. NIIAO and Beriev can therefore rest assured that the solution meets the EASA C113 standards, which are considered the strictest in civil aviation worldwide. “We are delighted to be the first company to deliver a full level A qualified visualization solution to Beriev, an important player in the Russian aircraft industry,” says Steven Luys, Vice President Strategic Marketing for Barco Defense & Aerospace. “The order from NIIAO and Beriev truly affirms the potential of our display technology.”

Equipping 12 BE-200 airplanes

Each new Beriev BE-200 cockpit will be fitted with six Barco displays, used as primary flight displays, and two control display management systems. The first batch was shipped out last month. In a first phase, Barco will deliver the visualization solution (72 displays, 24 CDMS) for 12 Beriev BE-200 cockpits. 10 BE-200 aircrafts shall be used for forest firefighting operations, 2 aircrafts shall be built in cargo configuration.

Over the past few years, aircraft builder Beriev and NIIAO have been actively conducting the certification of the Beriev BE-200 aircraft according to EASA standards. The new Barco display units are a major step forward to attaining the certification and, consequently, boosting further sales of the updated aircraft.