Moog Inc. (NYSE: MOG.A and MOG.B), a worldwide designer, manufacturer and systems integrator of high-performance precision motion and fluid controls and control systems today announced it has received a Supplemental Type Certification (STC) from the FAA for its fully coupled GRC™ 4000 four-axis rotorcraft autopilot for the UH-60 A and A+ Black Hawk helicopters. Fully integrated into the Black Hawk Genesys Avionics Suite™, the GRC 4000 has been added to the existing Moog Avionics STC that is approved for IFR operations — delivering advanced automation that dramatically reduces pilot workload in IMC and low altitude operations. This is a significant milestone within a broader Black Hawk roadmap that includes expanding into the ‘L’ (Lima) and S-70i models near term. With its lightweight, cost-effective, retrofittable design and sophisticated automation, the GRC 4000 represents the next step in rotorcraft avionics, bringing IFR-certified precision and pilot workload reduction to Black Hawk missions worldwide.
The GRC 4000 ensures stability and autopilot engagement from startup through shutdown, maintaining precise control across all phases of flight and environmental conditions. Whether maneuvering in low visibility or executing complex instrument approaches, the system’s autopilot and flight management system provide full 4-axis flight control and precision navigation significantly enhancing safety in IFR missions. A single-button engagement transitions the UH-60 into automatic flight, fully coupling with the flight management system for automated hover-to-hover flight operations. By handling complex control tasks automatically, the GRC 4000 frees pilots to concentrate on mission-critical responsibilities during troop and logistics delivery, search and rescue, firefighting, policing, or other special mission operations. The Moog Black Hawk IFR avionics STC with the GRC-4000 autopilot provides a Tier 3 solution for Rotorcraft Loss of Control in accordance with the FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) 2026-05. This is the FAA’s highest level of recommended safety equipment to prevent accidents caused by Inadvertent IMC and loss of aircraft control.
Key Features Include:
- 4-axis capability enabling precise automated flight and hover-hold operations
- Automatic recovery to level attitude across airspeeds
- Continuous stability augmentation in every phase of flight
- Lightweight and cost-effective upgrade
- Retrofittable on existing legacy Black Hawk fleets
Matt McCall, Director of Business Development at Moog Avionics, stated: “The GRC 4000 is the first retrofit 4-axis autopilot to be FAA certified on a Black Hawk. Moog is proud to bring a new level of automation and safety to this amazing aircraft, allowing pilots to focus on what truly matters — the mission.”
The Genesys Avionics Suite™ is a complete cockpit modernization solution that combines advanced navigation, flight control, communications and display systems into an affordable, supportable retrofit package tailored for rotary‑wing military platforms. Moog is a worldwide designer, manufacturer, and systems integrator of high-performance precision motion and fluid controls and control systems. Moog’s high-performance systems control military and commercial aircraft, satellites, and space vehicles, launch vehicles, defense systems, missiles, automated industrial machinery, marine, and medical equipment.
