Leonardo-Finmeccanica, through its aircraft division, and Canada-based Esterline CMC Electronics (CMC) have strengthened their relationship as part of Team Spartan through an agreement for the supply of high-performance avionics systems for the C-27J Spartan fleet.

Team Spartan, led by General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada, Leonardo Aircraft Division and DRS Technologies-Canada, is competing for Canada's Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue program with the C-27J Spartan aircraft.

Under the terms of the agreement, Esterline CMC Electronics will supply its high-performance CMA-9000 Flight Management System, CMA-5024 GPS Landing System Sensor and TacView® Portable Mission Display to the C-27J Spartan fleet.

Michel Potvin, president, Esterline Avionics Systems, said, “It is a great honour for Esterline CMC Electronics to reach an agreement with Leonardo Aircraft, a world-class Aircraft OEM. This is a gratifying endorsement of our core navigational systems expertise and pedigree.” 

Umberto Rossi, Leonardo Aircraft Division FWSAR campaign leader, “The collaboration with CMC Electronics is another tangible initiative of the Team Spartan's commitment to provide the Canadian Industry with a real incremental value. With the C-27J FWSAR, Team Spartan will create and support additional work, jobs and opportunities within Canada's aerospace sector.”

The latest generation CMA-9000 Flight Management will provide the C-27J aircraft with multi-sensory based navigation and enhanced operational capability. Its unique combination of civil certification with advanced tactical functions, radio management and Night Vision Goggle-capability make it the product of choice for military and commercial operations. The CMA-9000's large navigation database capability offers flexible global operations and will allow the aircraft to make the most efficient use of the airspace as it is modernized over the next 20 years. The C-27J fleet will comply with the forecasted Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards for the Communication, Navigation, Surveillance and Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) system. 

Esterline CMC's high-performance FMS systems are in service with over 60 military and civil operators, including the recently upgraded Canadian Department of National Defence A310 Polaris fleet. 

The high-performance CMA-5024 GPS Landing System Sensor provides RNP-RNAV and LPV GPS Approach capability, and meets the requirements for an Instrument Flight Rules, civil certified Global Navigation Satellite System. The sensor provides Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) GPS capability from departure to approach and complies with published CNS/ATM navigational mandates.

The compact TacView® Portable Mission Display facilitates airborne mission effectiveness through improved real-time situational awareness and paperless cockpit applications. TacView® offers a rugged, NVG compatible smart display interface for real-time communications.