GE Fanuc Embedded Systems Selected By Lockheed Martin for US Army Non-Line-Of Sight Launch System Platform Computer.

CompactPCI Processors, Switches to Feature in NLOS-LS 

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- GE Fanuc Embedded Systems today announced that its recent acquisition Radstone Embedded Computing has been selected by Lockheed Martin's Littoral Ships & Systems business to provide the processing subsystem which will control the Non-Line-Of-Sight Launch System (NLOS-LS) platform commissioned by the U.S. Army. NLOS-LS has been selected to be part of 'spin-out one' within the U.S. Department of Defense's Future Combat Systems (FCS) initiative. Radstone has received an order worth in excess of $1 million for initial development systems.

The GE Fanuc processing subsystem selected by Lockheed Martin comprises an adapted version of one of the company's standard rugged enclosures, together with a Compact PCI 6U CP1A single board computer fitted with an I/O daughter card PMC; a CPX24 rugged managed Gigabit Ethernet switch; and a Radstone MFIO (Multi Function I/O) board.

"We have been working together with the U.S. Army for some time to help them prove the NLOS-LS concept," said Peter Cavill of GE Fanuc Embedded Systems. "We are pleased to support Lockheed Martin by providing a powerful, flexible off-the-shelf COTS solution that is not only highly cost-effective but that has reduced program risk and dramatically reduced development time, allowing the Army to carry out first demonstrations far earlier than would otherwise have been possible. NLOS-LS is a very high profile program, and one which we're very proud to be part of."

NLOS-LS is being developed for the U.S. Army by Netfires LLC, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. It uses a common vertical launch Container Launch Unit (CLU) comprising 15 missile launch chambers. It also has integrated command and control equipment to support the deployment of the Precision Attack Missile (PAM) The CLU is platform-independent and is transportable by truck, plane, helicopter or ship. The CLU can be fired from a platform or the ground and can operate in an autonomous mode.

FCS is a networked "system of systems" that is being jointly developed across all the US military services. It envisions eighteen individual systems that are networked together enabling a soldier who is linked to these platforms and sensors to have access to data that will provide much improved situational awareness and ability to respond. NLOS-LS is one of those eighteen systems, and has been selected for accelerated development.

About GE Fanuc Embedded Systems

GE Fanuc Embedded Systems is a leading global provider of embedded computing solutions for a wide range of industries and applications. Featuring a comprehensive offering that includes Intel[R] and PowerPC[R]-based Single Board Computers, sensor processing, networking products, avionics interfaces, rugged flat panel monitors and complete computer systems, GE Fanuc Embedded Systems can support the full range of embedded computing needs. GE Fanuc Embedded Systems is part of GE Fanuc, a joint venture between GE and FANUC LTD of Japan. For more information, visit www.gefanucembedded.com