Inzpire's GECO MSS to continue supporting Joint Helicopter Command’s Puma Force

Image courtesy Inzpire

The initial contract started in 2015 after the Invitation to Tender sought a 10-year contract broken in to two five-year spells, with the latter being an optional extension which has now been accepted.

Full operating capability on the system was declared in early 2017.

This contract extension will see RAF Benson’s 33 and 230 squadrons equipped with the system until 2025, with the fleet using GECO MSS on all flying operations in the UK and internationally.

Users will benefit from the system’s slick user interface, which has been developed by Inzpire’s expert former military aviators and highly experienced engineers. Throughout the five-year contract, the customer will benefit from iterative improvements linked to an annual update cycle.

GECO MSS provides an end-to-end mission capability which supports mission planning, rehearsal, briefing, airborne execution and mission debrief.

Jonny Smith, Inzpire’s head of mission systems, said: “It gives the team here at Inzpire huge pleasure to be able to continue our great partnership with the Puma Force at RAF Benson. We look forward to another five years of success together, in delivering the capabilities that the Puma Force needs in the ever-changing world of military aviation”.

During the mission planning phase, GECO MSS allows users to import critical information including notices to airmen (NOTAMS) and Airspace Control Orders (ACOs). To ensure missions are achievable the rehearsal functionality of the system enables crews to rehearse a mission in both 2D and 3D and assess the effect live of any adjustments made to the mission profile.

Once the mission is planned, it can be uploaded to the aircraft and a tablet. The carry-on tablet hosts multiple mapping formats, an electronic flight bag and a range of awareness tools. Once a mission is complete, the system provides full mission data to ensure comprehensive debriefing.

The system is compatible with a wide range of aeronautical, geospatial and tactical data types and features advanced capabilities such as dynamic performance calculation, obstruction display and alerting and is able to exchange data with many other planning and flight management systems.

Inzpire’s GECO System
Inzpire’s GECO System is designed to enhance the safety of missions through its suite of safety and aircrew assistance applications. The system increases mission effectiveness through the provision of situational awareness and decision assistance applications, whilst offering outstanding value for money through the use of commercial off the shelf hardware solutions where appropriate.  There are over 400 GECO Systems in service with the Royal Navy, Army Air Corps and the Royal Air Force.  Inzpire’s overseas customers include the Royal Jordanian Air Force.

Inzpire’s Mission Systems Division
Inzpire’s Mission Systems Division produces some of the most innovative and highly-regarded Mission Systems available for the air environment. Our products are in frontline operational use with UK and international armed forces, delivering situational awareness, safety of flight and mission enhancing capabilities across helicopter, fixed wing and multi-engine platforms.