Becker’s 6100+ blends legacy feel with next-gen audio tech
For pilots, muscle memory is everything. The Becker 6100 audio control panel earned their loyalty with rotary knobs and crisp, countable detents — controls they could operate by feel while keeping their eyes outside.
Becker’s new 6100+, unveiled at APSCON 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona, maintains that same tactile familiarity while incorporating the digital horsepower of its newer 6500-series line — including 3D audio processing, Bluetooth connectivity, expanded radio management, and more.
The result is a “looks-and-feels-like-home” upgrade that requires almost no retraining.
Familiar form, modern features
Officially designated the DVCS6520, Becker branded it the “6100+” to reflect its visual and functional continuity with the legacy 6100 units that have served operators for years.
Fleet managers had asked for an upgrade that could slide into existing aircraft with minimal disruption — yet unlock the advanced feature set introduced in Becker’s 6500-series audio systems.
Calling it the 6100+ signals exactly that: same form factor, familiar workflow, added capability.
Head‑up ergonomics matter — especially in helicopters
Anyone who has ever juggled radios in a low‑level helicopter environment knows the value of tactile controls.
“As pilots, it’s a lot easier for you and me to count the indents as we rotate the control while still being able to look outside the aircraft,” said Becker senior consultant Lee Benson, while walking Vertical through the panel.
With the 6100+, you can still reach down and feel which knob you’re on — instead of glancing down to confirm a soft-key label on a multifunction display. For law enforcement, utility, and training ops, that head-up time makes a difference.
Stand‑alone flexibility — screen optional
Glass cockpits promised to centralize everything, but many operators found that burying audio controls under layers of screens added steps — and head‑down time. The 6100+ brings primary audio management back to a dedicated, easily reachable control head. No remote display required.
Behind its familiar faceplate lies a modern digital architecture. Operators gain features like 3D audio (which spatially separates selected sources in the headset), Bluetooth for peripherals, and the ability to manage up to eight radios — matching the legacy 6100’s capacity, but with improved signal routing inherited from the 6500-series.
Not all features may be activated right away, but the system leaves plenty of room to grow. “Even though an operator may not know if they’re going to utilize all the features at first, they have that option down the road — all while using a familiar product,” Benson said.
Availability, timeline, cost
Early demand is coming from operators already standardized on the 6100. When those customers acquire new aircraft, they’re choosing the 6100+ because it “feels just like what I have” — while preserving a clear upgrade path. That strategy eases training, helps mixed fleets share checklists, and aligns long-term sustainment around a common, modernized part number.
Industry chatter around the “plus” variant began at events in September 2024. Full availability followed, and units are shipping now. If you heard the name before seeing the hardware, that’s because “6100+” started as a marketing bridge — a way to help customers recognize its evolutionary link. Whether you call it the 6520 or the 6100+, the key message for procurement teams is this: it’s a current-production product, not a future promise.
While nothing in aviation comes cheap, the 6100+ delivers real economic advantages. By preserving the legacy 6100 footprint, it allows operators to reuse existing wiring, fit into standard panel cutouts, and avoid costly redesigns of integrated displays. That makes it a budget-friendly option for multi-airframe fleets — especially compared to all-glass audio control systems.
For maintenance teams already familiar with Becker wiring, retrofits are straightforward, often aligning with scheduled downtime for inspections, annuals, or mission equipment upgrades. That ease of installation is proving just as valuable as the system’s new capabilities.
Bottom line
The Becker Avionics 6100+ isn’t about reinventing the cockpit — it’s about integrating advanced digital capabilities into a familiar, proven format.
Designed for law enforcement, public safety, and utility operators, it delivers the tactile control, fleet consistency, and seamless upgrade path these missions demand. Crews can stick with their current workflow — now enhanced with modern audio performance.