Becker Avionics is pleased to announce that their state-of-the-art Digital Voice Communication System (DVCS 6100) is included in the avionics package on the U.S. Army's new UH-72A Lakota Mission Equipment Package (MEP) aircraft, a variant of this highly successful Light Utility Helicopter (LUH).

Program plans call for 100 MEP variants of the UH-72A, which are intended to support the Army National Guard's Security and Support (S&S) Battalion Mission. Lakota helicopters in the S&S Battalion configuration enable Army National Guard units to seamlessly support state and local law enforcement and federal homeland security agencies in responding to natural disasters, law enforcement and border security operations.

In support of the Lakota program, Becker Avionics setup U.S. production capabilities at its facility in Miramar, FL. To date, Becker Avionics has delivered over 200 digital intercom systems for the Lakota program by providing the DVCS product to Eurocopter / EADS North America for integration into the UH-72A airframes at American Eurocopter's Columbus, MS production facility.

The first Lakota equipped with the Security and Support (S&S) Battalion Mission Equipment Package (MEP) entered into operational service with the Mississippi National Guard's Company C, 1st of the 114th Security and Support Battalion in late 2011. Becker Avionics is proud to be supporting their mission with its highly successful DVCS 6100 product. The Army selected Becker's DVCS based on the following key attributes:

• Superior system capabilities • Product Reliability and Support • Unmatched operational flexibility • Mission tested performance • NVG compatibility out of the box • Proven Man-machine interface

EADS North America's delivery history to the Army is a point of pride in that all new UH-72A Lakota's have been delivered on time and on budget, as well as having an excellent support reputation for the growing number of aircraft in service across the United States. The Army recently awarded EADS North America a contract to deliver 39 UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) this year. Currently there 198 UH-72A Lakota's in operation with the U.S. Army National Guard, plus five H-72A versions with the U.S. Navy, dedicated to test pilot training at Pax River MD. With the new contract award of 39 additional aircraft, the total Lakota program now surpasses 270 aircraft.

Brett Gardner, Director of Sales and Marketing at Becker Avionics stated, "We're extremely proud of being part of the UH-72A Lakota Team, and to supporting the vital mission of the U.S. Army National Guard and U.S. Navy.

Becker's DVCS demonstrates modern avionics system architecture, outstanding features and performance on a day-to-day basis for the broad range of demanding missions that Army supports.

The Army is using Lakota's in multiple configurations to fulfill a wide range of missions, including medical evacuation, search and rescue operations, homeland security, VIP transport, disaster response and relief, general aviation support, combat flight training and pilot sustainment training.

About the DVCS6100

The DVCS6100 design provides the customer with ability to match a wide range of operational requirements with only one system. The built-in scalability and flexibility reduces not only the cost and time requirements for constant re-engineering and certification for a tailored system solution, but also reduces the learning curve for integration, maintenance and troubleshooting time. Through software programming options, the DVCS product is both easily and quickly configurable to individual customer requirements, thus saving time and money.

The DVCS' open system architecture technology provides for operational comfort and superior voice quality, ensuring that almost any customer requirement can be met, while providing crystal clear communication for crew and passengers.

Becker Avionics focuses on meeting individual requirements with the highest commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Their state-of-the-art Digital DVCS 6100 will enhance the effectiveness of any aerial platform. When compared to a legacy analog audio system, Digital technology provides simplified installation, improved performance, reduced wiring and weight, along with reduced installation and maintenance costs. Furthermore, the comprehensive built-in-test (BIT) feature enables line maintenance crews or avionics technicians to easily diagnose/isolate failures and replace system components quickly.

No matter what the mission; from military to Police, EMS and passenger transport, to surveillance or utility operations, Becker's Digital Audio system ensures a more modern and capable aerial platform.

DVCS6100 Digital Audio System Features

The DVCS6100 has been designed for both rotary and fixed-wing applications. The product fully reflects Becker Avionics' proven know-how of more than four decades in audio system development for the aerospace industry. Since the market introduction of the 1st DVCS generation, over 900 systems have been delivered, with all achieving outstanding field reliability. Our continuous product improvement program ensures the DVCS6100 continues to meet our customer expectations and that the product remains technologically competitive.

Becker's Digital Audio technology is superior to any analog system, as it offers crystal-clear voice communication quality, a proven Man-Machine-Interface (MMI), outstanding reliability, scalability and flexibility, and is software configurable. The main system components of the DVCS6100 system are the Remote Electronic Unit (REU) 6100, the Audio Control Unit (ACU) 6100, and the optional Intercom Amplifier IC3100.

The product offers up to 8 communication transmit (TX) and up to 8 receiver (RX) channels, an integrated warning tone generator for up to 8 different signals, an amplifier for 2 cockpit speakers, as well as interfaces for 2 Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVR), and a Public Address Amplifier (PA).

Up to 6 ACU's (audio panels) can be operated together with one REU. Each unit can be configured with the included software to give complete adjustment range across different on-board radio systems. The system also meets the highest standards for night operation under NVG and military conditions. The ACU6100 is available with NVIS green (MIL-STD 3009 Green B) and white Backlight, and offers emergency and slaved mode operation. The DVCS6100 represents a unique mission enhancement technology that easily outperforms the competition.

Becker Avionics' DVCS6100 provides 'best in class' performance. Becker Avionics - the leader in commercially certified Digital intercoms!