Date: October 21, 2009
Ref.: DACS on US Helicopters

Cobham Digital Audio Control System (DACS) Fielded By US Helicopters

KELOWNA, Canada – Cobham’s Digital Audio Control System (DACS) has been installed for the first time into helicopters based in the United States. 

Two EC145's, owned and operated by Flight For Life Transport System, a helicopter emergency medical service (EMS) provider in Waukesha, Wisconsin, have been equipped with DACS. The first helicopter entered service on 30 June operating from Waukesha while the second helicopter entered service on 3 September operating from McHenry, Illinois. Helicopter Specialties Inc. in Janesville, Wisconsin performed the DACS installations.

DACS hardware qualification was completed in August 2008 and final certification is expected to complete this summer, with TSO deliveries expected during the fourth quarter of 2009.   

With installations now completed and certified by both Original Equipment Manufacturers and completion centres, the system has been flying for more than two years and has been proven in nearly 100 installations across a number of airframe types.  In all instances, DACS has been given a unanimous thumbs-up for the system’s simplified installation, superior performance in high noise environments and configurability for special mission and tactical operations.

About Cobham:
Cobham’s products and services have been at the heart of sophisticated military and civil systems for more than 70 years, keeping people safe, improving communications, and enhancing the capability of land, sea, air and space platforms. The Company has four divisions employing more than 12,000 people on five continents, with customers and partners in over 100 countries and annual revenue of more than £1.4bn / $2.1 billion.

Cobham Avionics provides integrated, end to end avionics solutions for fixed-wing and rotorcraft markets covering general aviation, special mission, military training, business and commuter, airline transport fixed-wing and rotorcraft markets. Leveraging a global presence, both FAA and EASA certifications, a broad technology base, and existing original equipment manufacturer positions with AgustaWestland, Airbus, Bell Helicopter, Boeing, Bombardier, Dassault, Eurocopter and Raytheon, Cobham Avionics offers high value solutions for virtually any avionics application.