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Nightstalker II program mentioned in the May 11, 1984 issue of Northrop News:
"EMD receives first Cobra for trainer program
"The first Cobra helicopter supplied by the U.S. Army to the Electro-Mechanical Division for the PNVS Surrogate Trainer (Night Stalker II) program was accepted for the division by Fred Doten and Geno Vagnone, division helicopter pilots, in a ceremony at the Associated Air Center modification facilities, Dallas, Texas.
"Associated Air Center, a subcontractor, has been retrofitting the helicopter for EMD. This work included stringing wires, making equipment brackets, installing newly designed instrument panels, fabricating blackout curtains and associated mounting fixtures.
"Jerry King, vice president for Administration at the center presented the helicopter keys and logbook to Doten to symbolize the turnover. Also present at the turnover was Maurice Langford, production manager, Associated Air Center.
"The Night Stalker II program will modify the Cobra helicopter for use as a trainer for the more advanced Hughes AH-64A Apache helicopter. Use of the smaller and more readily available Cobra as an Apache trainer will be less costly to the government and will eliminate the need to remove the Apache from operational use.
"The division's contract with the U.S. Army calls for EMD to integrate the government-furnished Pilots Night Vision Sensor (PNVS) with the Cobra. The PNVS built by Martin Marietta, will permit the trainer to be operated at night, under "Nap-of-the-Earth" conditions, without external light. "Nap-of-the-Earth" is the term used to identify flight in close proximity (less than 10 feet) to the ground.
"Control of the pointing direction of the PNVS turret is done with an Integrated Helmet and Display Sight
Please turn to Page 2
". . . EMD receives first Cobra
Continued from first page
"System (IHADSS) built by Honeywell. The Electro-Mechanical Division has developed the systems controller unit which controls both these subsystems and all the other subsystems that are integrated to make up Night Stalker II.
"Following the turnover ceremony, Doten and Vagnone made a short flight to test maintenance and handling qualities and then Doten piloted the helicopter to Anaheim. Here it was inspected by Dr. John F. McCarthy Jr. EMD Vice President and general manager. Tom Sneed, Surrogate Trainer Program manager, and members of their staffs.
"Doten, who piloted the helicopter, is a graduate or the Navy Test Pilot School and the U.S. Army Flight Training School. He is an engineering test pilot. Vagnone was a helicopter mechanic 1n the Marine Corps and got his helicopter pilot's license through private study. He is currently at the Army's Technical Inspectors School.
"EMD will modify 10 Cobra helicopters under the current contract. The first is set for delivery to the Army in July 1984."
"EMD receives first Cobra for trainer program
"The first Cobra helicopter supplied by the U.S. Army to the Electro-Mechanical Division for the PNVS Surrogate Trainer (Night Stalker II) program was accepted for the division by Fred Doten and Geno Vagnone, division helicopter pilots, in a ceremony at the Associated Air Center modification facilities, Dallas, Texas.
"Associated Air Center, a subcontractor, has been retrofitting the helicopter for EMD. This work included stringing wires, making equipment brackets, installing newly designed instrument panels, fabricating blackout curtains and associated mounting fixtures.
"Jerry King, vice president for Administration at the center presented the helicopter keys and logbook to Doten to symbolize the turnover. Also present at the turnover was Maurice Langford, production manager, Associated Air Center.
"The Night Stalker II program will modify the Cobra helicopter for use as a trainer for the more advanced Hughes AH-64A Apache helicopter. Use of the smaller and more readily available Cobra as an Apache trainer will be less costly to the government and will eliminate the need to remove the Apache from operational use.
"The division's contract with the U.S. Army calls for EMD to integrate the government-furnished Pilots Night Vision Sensor (PNVS) with the Cobra. The PNVS built by Martin Marietta, will permit the trainer to be operated at night, under "Nap-of-the-Earth" conditions, without external light. "Nap-of-the-Earth" is the term used to identify flight in close proximity (less than 10 feet) to the ground.
"Control of the pointing direction of the PNVS turret is done with an Integrated Helmet and Display Sight
Please turn to Page 2
". . . EMD receives first Cobra
Continued from first page
"System (IHADSS) built by Honeywell. The Electro-Mechanical Division has developed the systems controller unit which controls both these subsystems and all the other subsystems that are integrated to make up Night Stalker II.
"Following the turnover ceremony, Doten and Vagnone made a short flight to test maintenance and handling qualities and then Doten piloted the helicopter to Anaheim. Here it was inspected by Dr. John F. McCarthy Jr. EMD Vice President and general manager. Tom Sneed, Surrogate Trainer Program manager, and members of their staffs.
"Doten, who piloted the helicopter, is a graduate or the Navy Test Pilot School and the U.S. Army Flight Training School. He is an engineering test pilot. Vagnone was a helicopter mechanic 1n the Marine Corps and got his helicopter pilot's license through private study. He is currently at the Army's Technical Inspectors School.
"EMD will modify 10 Cobra helicopters under the current contract. The first is set for delivery to the Army in July 1984."
