Intelligent Automation Corp.'s (IAC) Apache Helicopter HUMS Contract Ranks Among The World's Largest.

POWAY, Calif. -- Intelligent Automation Corporation (IAC), proven leaders in conditioned based maintenance solutions, received a contract from the U.S. Army Apache Project Manager Office, U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command of Huntsville, Alabama, to supply seventy-two (72) IAC 1209 - Modern Signal Processing Unit (MSPU) Health & Usage Management Systems (HUMS) for the U.S. Army AH-64 helicopters (Apache).

During recent independent U.S. Army testing, the system demonstrated a 10% increase in operational readiness and availability while decreasing maintenance cost and aircraft downtime. Field reports state that IAC's HUMS technology has become a demonstrated, significant force multiplier for the Commander and that it contributes to increased pilot confidence, especially during very high fleet usage such as in the present U.S. war in Iraq.

Additionally, the U.S. Army has issued Modification Work Order (MWO 1-1520-251-50-05) for the IAC 1209 MSPU - HUMS approving the system for installation on all 750 U.S. Army AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopters.

With over 180 IAC HUMS systems already installed on U.S. Army H-60 (Blackhawk), H-47 (Chinook) and AH-64 Apache helicopters, this new order confirms IAC as the number one U.S. Army HUMS supplier.

According to IAC Chief Executive Officer Jeff Goodrich, "IAC's core mission is to provide our nation's heroes with proven, mission-critical, innovative technology that keeps our men and women safe and our aircraft operational. The proven performance, affordability, and demonstrated return on investment of IAC's advanced HUMS technology has resulted in what we believe to be one of the largest, single HUMS orders ever placed. With this single order, the U.S. Army MWO, and our rapidly expanding commercial sales, IAC will soon be the world's largest HUMS supplier."

About the IAC 1209

The IAC 1209 HUMS, also known as the MSPU (Modern Signal Processing Unit) in the U.S. Army, is a derivative of the U.S. Army's successful Vibration Management Enhancement Program (VMEP). VMEP has a proven record of accomplishment in harsh operational conditions, including Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, and other international "hot spots."

The IAC 1209 HUMS for the Apache will consist of an A-kit and a B-kit. The A-kit includes: mounting hardware; wiring, Main Rotor Vertical and Lateral Accelerometers, Tail Rotor Accelerometer, Intermediate Gearbox Accelerometer, Main Rotor Tachometer, interconnection cables between all B-kit components and aircraft power; and modification work order instructions to enable a qualified maintenance team to install the A-kit in the AH-64 helicopter. The B-kit includes the MSPU and embedded diagnostic software specific to the AH-64 model and a Ground Kit consisting of a portable computer, USB Download Cable, IAC Blade tracker, optical tracker bracket, PC-GBS Ground analysis Software, and carrying case.

The IAC-1209 unique data acquisition and measurement features specifically designed for the on board helicopter application includes:

--Over a 100dB of vibration acquisition dynamic range allowing the detection of small signals such as main rotor track and balance vibration in a large ambient vibration environment such as produced by a gearbox.

--Six channels of simultaneous vibration acquisition with track allowing correlation of vibration signals.

--Synchronous averaging enabling the detection of single gear faults in a complex gearbox with specialized algorithms.

The IAC-1209 has a highly developed rotor track and balance capability that provides an optimum set of corrections with the objective of reducing maintainer workload and errors. Specific features include:

--Rotor Smoothing, Rotor Track and Balance and Neural Network rotor system models

--Optimization schemes to provide optimum correction recommendations

--Prediction module to indicate result of corrections

--Corrections editor

--Full set of polar charts and trend charts for RT&B data

About the Modification Work Order (MWO)

The U.S. Army established the MWO program to enhance the capabilities and / or correct any identified operational and safety problems of fielded weapon systems and equipment. The MWO issued for the IAC 1209 Modern Signal Processing System (MSPU) will permanently install the Modern Signal Processing Unit (MSPU) which includes wiring, tachometers, accelerometers, and the MSPU (MSPU) on all 750 US Army AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopters in place of the current, obsolete Signal Processor Unit (SPU).

For more information about Intelligent Automation Corporation (IAC) and its HUMS or other technologies, please visit www.iac-online.com or call [phone] ext. 114.

Note: Editors and Reporters on urgent deadline may contact Nancy Rose Senich at [phone] (mobile).