Military

BAE SYSTEMS CsLEOS' Operating System Chosen For Advanced Flight Control On U.S. AIR FORCE C-17 Transport

29 Jan 2003

The Boeing Company has selected BAE Systems CsLEOS real-time operating system (RTOS) for an advanced flight control system for the U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport. The CsLEOS RTOS, a layered, embedded system designed specifically for safety-critical applications, was chosen for the Research Flight Control Computing System (REFLCS).

"We are very pleased that the CsLEOS operating system has been selected for another application on the C-17," said Milan Dedek, product manager for the CsLEOS RTOS. Boeing chose the same operating system for its Redesign Automatic Flight Control System, or RAFCS, an upgrade to the transport's Autopilot Flight Control System.

Boeing Phantom Works is developing REFLCS under a NASA contract that will use a modified C-17 as a flying test bed for study of advanced flight control technologies. REFLCS will augment the transport's Electronic Flight Control System, connecting a new high-performance flight computing system to the existing flight control to allow advanced features to be integrated with minimal risk and cost. The added functionality could include potentially life-saving features such as intelligent flight controls and emergency autopilot capabilities to maintain control of damaged aircraft.

The CsLEOS operating system is the only commercial, off-the-shelf RTOS offered by a safety-critical systems company. Designed from the outset to implement ARINC-653 brick-wall partitioning and to be certifiable to the highest FAA DO-178B safety level, the CsLEOS RTOS ensures that safety-critical functions are protected from other processes running on the same hardware. This structure also makes it possible to add, revise, and test system functions without recertifying the entire application.

The RTOS's ARINC 653-compliant applications programming interface is a true open system that offers users the ability to develop applications software to a standard set of interfaces. This ensures ease of use and the most efficient use of development resources.

The current release of the CsLEOS RTOS is certifiable to DO-178B, Level A, and is available now. (D0-178B, developed by RTCA Inc., a nonprofit company in Washington, D.C., is the international standard for certifying software used in safety-critical airborne systems.)
About BAE SYSTEMS:

BAE Systems is a systems company, innovating for a safer world. BAE Systems employs nearly 100,000 people including Joint Ventures, and has annual sales of around 13 billion. The company offers a global capability in air, sea, land and space with a world-class prime contracting ability supported by a range of key skills. BAE Systems designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, space systems, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, guided weapon systems and a range of other defence products. BAE Systems is dedicated to making the intelligent connections needed to deliver innovative solutions.

BAE Systems North America is a high-technology U.S. company employing more than 22,000 Americans who live and work in 30 states and Washington, D.C. The company is dedicated to solving its customers' needs with highly innovative and leading-edge solutions across the defence electronics, systems, information technology, and services arenas.

BAE Systems Controls, an operating unit of BAE Systems North America, is a leading supplier and integrator of electronic flight controls, engine controls, and navigation guidance for defense and commercial aircraft and launch vehicle applications. It also provides integrated avionics for aircraft applications and complete unmanned aerial vehicle systems and is a leader in the emerging heavy-duty hybrid-electric vehicle market. Controls operates facilities in Johnson City, New York; Santa Monica, Westlake Village, and Ontario, California; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Cheshire, Connecticut; Wayne, New Jersey; Heath, Ohio; and Redmond, Washington.