Army C-12 Modernization Effort Marks 1,000th Garmin King Air Retrofit

Official Statements

• PAE Maneuver Air, November 10: “By Tracey Ayres Phlegar, Fixed Wing Project Office

  WASHINGTON - The U.S. Army’s ongoing C-12 Huron avionics modernization effort reached a major milestone this month with the delivery of Garmin’s 1,000th G1000 integrated flight deck retrofit for King Air aircraft.

  Stevens Aerospace and Defense installed the Garmin G1000 NXi integrated flight deck on an Army C-12 Huron aircraft. Representatives from the Army, Garmin, Amentum, and Stevens Aerospace and Defense recognized the delivery during an Oct. 6 event at Stevens Aerospace and Defense in Greenville, SC.

  “The 1,000th Garmin G1000 cockpit installation is a tangible example of Army Aviation’s continuous transformation and commitment to delivering ready, resilient capability to the force,” said Lt. Col. (Promotable) James B. Hickey, project manager for Fixed Wing. “By replacing aging analog systems with reliable, data enabled G1000 technology, we are mitigating obsolescence, reducing lifecycle maintenance burdens, and improving operational readiness.”

  Hickey said the modernization effort strengthens fixed wing Army aviators’ situational awareness and decision advantage while reducing cognitive workload in demanding operational environments.

  The upgrade replaces aging analog avionics with an integrated digital cockpit designed to improve aircraft reliability, reduce sustainment demands, and provide Army aviators with enhanced flight management and situational awareness tools.

  The G1000 NXi system includes large format displays and features intended to reduce cockpit workload and support safe, effective flight operations. The Army’s upgraded C-12 aircraft also incorporates Garmin autothrottle, which automates engine power management during flight and helps crews maintain selected airspeeds and flight management system constraints.

  “This achievement reflects the strength of our industrial triad - Stevens Aerospace, Garmin and Amentum - and demonstrates how government and industry can rapidly deliver modernized capability that positions Army Aviation for the future fight,” Hickey said.

  The Army has upgraded 35 C-12 aircraft to replace aging analog avionics, improve reliability, reduce cockpit workload, and enhance situational awareness, and will continue to modernize the C-12 fleet to sustain a capable, fixed wing aviation platform to support mission requirements.

  “To maintain mission readiness of the U.S. Army’s C-12 fleet, the Army initiated a comprehensive avionics modernization effort,” said Jim Williams, senior vice president at Stevens Aerospace. “The Garmin G1000 NXi was selected as the fleet’s next-generation avionics solution, and Stevens Aerospace and Defense Systems was awarded the contract to perform the upgrades.”