• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

ORBITAL WINS $16 MILLION CONTRACT FROM U.S. AIR FORCE

Company's Fairchild Defense Division to Supply Digital Terrain System to Improve In-Flight Combat Safety

(Dulles, VA 24 May 1999) -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today its Fairchild Defense Division has been awarded a $16.5 million contract to supply its Digital Terrain System (DTS) to the U.S. Air Force (USAF) for its F-16 aircraft. Orbital's DTS enhances the safety of combat aircraft operations by providing the pilot with predictive ground collision avoidance information through visual and aural commands. It is primarily intended to prevent controlled flight into terrain situations that can occur when a pilot is momentarily distracted during high-intensity operations at night or during deteriorating weather conditions. It also enhances the combat capability by significantly improving the pilot's situational awareness and improving the options for weapon delivery.

The DTS is already flight-proven through its operational status with the USAF Reserves and the F-16 mid-life update program for the Air Forces of Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway. The DTS has now been designated as a USAF operational requirement for all of its F-16 aircraft as a result of the high priority the USAF has placed on the safety features offered by Orbital's airborne system. It is expected that the USAF will extend DTS capability to other fighter aircraft as well in order to meet its goal of improving safety for pilots and aircraft in the hazardous high-speed/low-altitude environment typical of many fighter missions. In fiscal years 1998 and 1999, Congress authorized additional funding for these systems.

The DTS uses Fairchild Defense's Mega Data Transfer Cartridge with Processor (MDTC/P) and related ground support equipment to host a USAF software algorithm that was originally developed by British Aerospace. The cartridge also stores the necessary terrain elevation database. This cartridge is a form, fit and functional replacement of the basic data transfer cartridge that was originally developed for the F-16 in the mid-1980s. Orbital's DTS replacement cartridge uses the latest state-of-the-art commercial technology and provides the capability for significant solid-state memory growth to support future operational requirements.

Orbital's Fairchild Defense Division manages the development, production, integration and testing of a wide array of advanced electronics and avionics systems for use in military aircraft, helicopters and land vehicles.

Orbital is one of the largest space and information systems companies in the world, with 1998 revenues of about $735 million. The company, which is headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, employs over 5,000 people at its major facilities in the United States, Canada and several overseas locations. Orbital is the world’s leading manufacturer of low-cost space systems and products, including satellites, launch vehicles, electronics and sensors, satellite ground systems and software, and satellite-based navigation and communications products. Through its ORBCOMM and ORBIMAGE affiliates and ORBNAV subsidiary, Orbital is also a pioneering operator of satellite-based networks that provide data communications, high-resolution imagery and automotive information services to customers all around the world.

Contact: Barron Beneski, 7034065000, beneski.barron@orbital.com