BAE SYSTEMS to Supply Upgraded Digital Autopilot Systems for Brazilian Air Force P-3 Orion Fleet.LOS ANGELES Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. -- EADS-CASA of Spain has awarded BAE Systems BAE Systems British manufacturer of aircraft, missiles, avionics, naval vessels, and other aerospace and defense products. BAE Systems was formed (1999) from the merger of British Aerospace (BAe) with Marconi Electronic Systems. a contract to provide digital autopilot systems for the Brazilian Air Force's eight P-3 Orion The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a maritime patrol aircraft of numerous militaries around the world, used primarily for maritime patrol, reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare. antisubmarine patrol aircraft. The contract will replace the legacy analog autopilot systems as part of an extensive aircraft modification performed by EADS-CASA. The Digital Autopilot System will be integrated with the EADS-CASA Fully Integrated Tactical System. BAE Systems' P-3 digital autopilot is a dual-redundant system that offers enhanced safety, high system reliability, and lower operating costs. It is lighter, more capable, and more reliable than the legacy analog systems on P-3 aircraft, providing pilots with enhanced modes of operation, including control-wheel steering, navigation steering, a broad range of hold modes, and automatic approach to CAT-I landings. "The Digital Autopilot System will allow the Brazilian Air Force The Brazilian Air Force (Portuguese: Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB) is the aerial warfare branch of the Brazilian armed forces and one of the three national uniformed services. pilots to perform their missions -- over sea and land -- more efficiently and will enhance their mission capability," said Roger Shuler, P-3 program manager for BAE Systems. The digital autopilot comprises solid-state rate gyro assemblies, autopilot computers, flight sensors, and autopilot control panels. It provides ARINC ARINC Aeronautical Radio, Inc. ARINC Aircraft Radio Incorporated ARINC Aeronautical Research Incorporated 429/MIL-STD-1553 interfaces that are compatible with current and anticipated Global Air Traffic Management requirements. As an off-the-shelf solution, it can be installed as a form-fit-function replacement, or as part of a larger avionics upgrade program. The system has logged more than 30,000 hours with P-3 fleets worldwide, including those of the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Border Protection Service, the Canadian Department of National Defense, the Royal New Zealand Air Force The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force. It was formed from New Zealand components of the British Royal Air Force, becoming an independent force in 1923, although many RNZAF aircrew continued to serve in the Royal Air Force , and the Royal Australian Air Force The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the Air Force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF began in March 1914 as the Australian Flying Corps and became a fully independent Air Force in March 1921. . BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defense and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, combat vehicles, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion