Story ID: 375TopDropHAI 
Getting the 'Top Drop' on Fires 
By: Mark Huber
Caption: An upgrade from Rogerson Kratos subsidiary Top Drop enhances the firefighting capability of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.
Word Count: 188
Rogerson Kratos subsidiary Top Drop (Booth 2409, Static S11) is offering an equipment suite that provides upgraded navigation, surveillance, and sensor systems that enables night-time aerial firefighting operations for UH-60 Black Hawks.

Top Drop CEO Michael Rogerson said the package not only supports day/night operations but also delivers "the best accuracy while replenishing drops with a hover snorkel for the fastest return on the fire. The accuracy of our drops matches the additional capacity and the verification of features ensures the best results." The Top Drop package already is flying on helicopters in California.

It features a digital cockpit, a quick-fill internal water tank, and high-definition cameras. The avionics suite includes digital displays, moving map, flight-following satcom, enhanced navigation, dual commercial radios, ADS-B, Loud Hailer, digital audio system, telemetry unit, integrated FMS, and integrated maintenance system.

According to Top Drop, the integrated avionics suite replaces analog equipment and can include advanced GPS, TCAS, TAWS, as well as forward-looking infrared. The snorkel refills the tank in 60 seconds and the firefighting tank system has an automatic foam dispenser and integrated control functions.