EADS CASA Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS)
Paris, 01 June 2003
EADS CASA leads the development of maritime patrol systems based on the experience with the maritime surveillance and electronic warfare systems that have equipped their C-212 and CN-235 models since 1983, of which more than 49 are flown by 12 operators worldwide.
In recent years CASA, now EADS CASA, has developed the Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS), core of a complex weapon system that ranges from maritime surveillance to the most complete configurations of antisubmarine warfare. This system, conceived to be flexible and modular, can be installed on any platform, from those made by EADS CASA to large antisubmarine platforms such as the Atlantique or the P-3 Orion.
EADS CASA signed a contract to modernise the mission system on the Spanish Air Force’s Lockheed P-3B aircraft. Mainly, the contract includes the replacement of the old tactical system by the CASA FITS and the integration of a new suite of mission sensors characteristic of antisubmarine warfare such as the Search Radar, FLIR, ESM, Acoustic System, Data link 11, as well as the modernisation of the aircraft’s navigation system.
In December 2001 the Secretaría de Marina of Mexico signed a contract to modernise, including the installation of the CASA FITS, the C-212s owned by the Mexican Navy.
EADS CASA CN-235 is the aircraft included in the winning Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS) offer to the United States Coast Guard. The CN-235 covers the fixed wing part of the Deepwater program integrated through a C4ISR network with the rest of CG’s assets (ships, helicopters, shore bases). The U.S. Coast Guard has initially awarded a contract totalling approximately U.S. $130 million to Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS) for the design and delivery of two Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) based on EADS CASA CN-235 platforms.
The CASA C295 MPA/ASW (Persuader) equipped with FITS has been selected by the United Arab Emirates Navy for its antisubmarine warfare system acquisition programme Shaheen I.
EADS CASA has been the winner in Brazil in the selection process to modernise eight (8) P-3 Orion that will include the mission system EADS CASA FITS. These aircraft will be used for maritime patrol missions and for controlling the Exclusive Economic Zone (FEZ) together with borders and Air Rescue Services along an area assigned by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (OACI). (Brazil also selected recently EADS CASA for the programme CL-X to replace the obsolete C-115 Buffalo with 12 EADS CASA C-295 aircraft).
The FITS, owing to its design and architecture, has great flexibility in the integration of the large variety of mission sensor models that permits the selection of those most efficient and most suited to the needs of the customer. This, accompanied by the great integration experience of EADS CASA in the maritime patrol sector and modern weapon systems derived from Airbus aircraft, makes EADS CASA the benchmark organisation in this environment. This relevant design and the great flexibility also makes this system a common element in programmes that range from maritime surveillance to the most complex solution for antisubmarine warfare, where the FITS has had great results installed on EADS CASA and other existing platforms such as P-3s.
In 2001 EADS CASA flew the C-295 MSA/MPA aircraft equipped with the FITS and a suite of antisubmarine mission sensors. This aircraft, specially designed by CASA to demonstrate the technological and integration characteristics, represents the best combination of aircraft and weapon system with the best fuel economy and lowest operational costs.
System Description
The CASA FITS system incorporates technologies of sensor and navigation integration already used in the Integrated Mission System of the CASA CN-235 Persuader of the Irish Air Corp in service since 1994, maximising the utilisation of new technologies and COTS concepts (commercial workstations and VME format computers, 64 byte processors, UNIX and VxWorks operative system, X-Windows/X-Motif, high resolution colour displays, plasma touch screens, and C++ languages, commercial data base management, etc.)
The use of middleware software permits the adaptability and portability to future processors, guaranteeing the supportability of the mission system.
The Mission Tactical System offered for this programme includes the Tactical Data Management Processor (TDMP). This processor has two different functions. One function, which is redundant, controls the real time process as the interfaces of the sensors and the navigation system. The other, works as a system server controlling the database management, event registry and status monitoring.
Also included are four identical multifunctional consoles interconnected by means of a local area network. Each console is provided with its own processor, identical to the tactical processor, a 20” high-resolution liquid crystal display, two touch screens, a keyboard and a trackball. All processes are carried out in these consoles, independently distributed for each operator, (man-machine interface management, build up of the tactical situation, mapping, digitalisation and handling of the sensor video signals, etc.).
Additionally, the system includes other peripherals such as a pilot’s presentation screen, recording and data loading units, armament and sonobuoy management panel, printer, etc.
The powerful and advanced Mission Support Centre is made up from a network of commercial workstations that covers the following functions:
* Mission Planning/Preparation and Briefing/ Debriefing
* Fusion and Analysis of Sensors
* Data Linkage
* Tactical training
A portable mission support subsystem is also provided.
The design of the CASA FITS permits total interoperability within the NATO environment, thanks to the design’s adherence to the organisation’s standards and the use of tactical data linkage equipment that allows the transfer of information to other cooperative units included in the Mission Support Centre.
Advantages of FITS
* Produces an increase in the operational effectiveness by raising the level of integration of the tactical information and of the sensors that are shared by the entire crew.
* Decrease in workload for operators, thanks to the use of a very simple Windows-based user interface that provides presentation functions and control of the system.
* Great flexibility of the system based on open architecture and standard interfaces that allow the integration of a large variety of sensors in accordance with the needs of the client.
* Outstanding growth potential. The EADS CASA FITS has been conceived as a flexible modular system. The system permits the adding of additional workstations depending on the selection of mission sensors and the operational requirements.
* Economical and low risk solution employing commercial equipment and proven integration solutions.
* Redundancy. The system provides functionally and physically identical operator workstations as well as redundant processing capacity.
* Software is proprietary to EADS CASA, and is not subject to export restrictions.
* Superb integration on CASA aircraft (CN-235, C-295) thanks to coincidence between platform manufacturer & system designer (integrator is the “avionneur” itself).
* Selected by 4 operators (Spain, Mexico, Brazil, and UAE), ensuring a top level of development, avoiding any integration risks and providing opportunities for enhanced collaboration and mutual support.
* Proven Solution. The advanced state of system’s development and its advanced characteristics make it the best option.
EADS (www.eads.net) is a global aerospace and defence company and is the world’s second largest in terms of revenues with EUR 29.9 billion in 2002. EADS has a workforce of more than 100,000 and is a market leader in defence technology, commercial aircraft, helicopters, space, military transport and combat aircraft, as well as related services. It’s family of leading brands includes the commercial aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world’s largest helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter, the space company Astrium and MBDA, the world’s second largest missile company. EADS is the biggest partner in the Eurofighter consortium and heads the A400M military transport aircraft programme. The company has over 70 sites in Germany, France, Great Britain and Spain. It is active in many regions worldwide, including the U.S., Russia and Asia.
For further information contact, please:
Eduardo Galicia Tel.: (+34) 91 -585 7789
EADS CASA
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