On Monday, November 24th Stavatti released the first concept models of the new cockpit configuration for the Machete series of aircraft.
On Monday, November 24th Stavatti Aerospace released the first concept models of the new cockpit configuration for the Machete series of aircraft. The new cockpit will be applied to all models of the Machete, with a conceptually similar cockpit being designed for the SM-26 Sleek series. Stavatti began the design of a new cockpit layout following discussions held at WPAFB in Dayton, Ohio earlier in the month. Borrowing from the F-16 cockpit configuration, the new Machete cockpits will feature reclined crew seats to improve pilot comfort and enhance g-tolerance. The reclined seating allows all two-seat tandem Machetes to feature a stepped cockpit configuration. Providing a significant improvement in rear crew-station forward visibility, aft-seated crewmembers will now be able to see over-the-head of the front seat occupant.
This improved visibility will provide Machete flight instructors with greater for- ward visibility than flight instructors for the T-6A, PC-9, F-16B/D and T-38. To ensure armed services commonality, the new turboprop Machetes will feature the Martin Baker MKUS16L ejection seat used in the T-6A while turbofan and Super Machetes will use the Martin Baker MK16E seat used by the F/A-25 JSF. All Machetes will feature F-16C style flight and throttle grips as produced by Mason Electric, as well as F-16 based rudder pedals. Borrowing extensively from the F-16C/D and F/A-18E/F, to increase commonality while reducing NRE costs the Machete will employ as multiple Viper and Super Hornet cockpit control and crew interface elements.
To improve situational awareness, the new Machete cockpit will benefit from L-3 Display System‘s PRISM integrated cockpit. The new cockpit will feature five L-3 Actiview 104P 6” x 8” Active Matrix LCDs in the forward crewstation and six L-3 Actiview 104P 6” x 8” Active Matrix LCDs in the aft crewstation. The pilot’s primary visual flight reference instrument will be a CMC Electronics Night Hawk HUD or Sparrow Hawk HUD or a Vision Systems International Helmet Mounted Display (HMD).
A radical departure from the original Machete concept, the new cockpits offer an all-glass, fully integrated workplace environment. Regarded as a foundation in the Machete family of combat and training aircraft, the new Sleek series will employ a Machete inspired cockpit featuring reclined seats, a HOTAS style flight and throttle grip and an all-glass, integrated cockpit.
