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U.S. Navy Awards BAE SYSTEMS $41.9 Million P-3 Digital Autopilot System Contract

16 Aug 2004

The U.S. Navy has awarded BAE Systems a $41.9 million contract for the purchase of Digital Autopilot Systems (DAS) that will be used to upgrade 120 of its P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft.

The contract also includes aircraft trial kit installations, ground and flight testing, and hardware qualification support. System deliveries to the Navy will begin in August 2005, and contract completion is scheduled for 2009.

Having spent a great deal of time and effort perfecting the Digital Autopilot System over the past several years, were extremely pleased by the U.S. Navys decision, said Tom Herring, vice president of Integrated Solutions for BAE Systems Platform Solutions. We look forward to delivering an advanced digital autopilot system that will dramatically increase system reliability and availability, as well as reduce pilot workload.

The award follows a Navy contract with BAE Systems in 2003 for a limited number of autopilots that were used to test the flight characteristics of the new technology on the P-3 Orion aircraft. Those tests were successfully concluded in June 2004.

The DAS is a dual, fully redundant system comprising a digital autopilot computer, two solid-state rate gyro assemblies, and a combined autopilot control panel. The digital autopilot improves the P-3 aircrafts capability and reliability and reduces system weight.

The digital system is lighter, more capable, and more reliable than previous P-3 autopilots, said Andre Doumitt, business development manager. The DAS provides pilots with enhanced modes of operation, including control-wheel steering, navigation steering, a broad range of hold modes, and automatic approach to CAT 1 landings.

The DAS also provides ARINC 429/Mil-STD-1553 interfaces that are compatible with current and anticipated Global Air Traffic Management requirements. As an off-the-shelf solution, the DAS can be installed as a form-fit-function replacement or as part of a larger avionics upgrade program.

With a strong reputation as a system that provides important benefits to aircraft operators including significantly increased system reliability and lower operating costs the DAS has logged more than 10,000 hours with P-3 aircraft fleets worldwide.

The U.S. Customs Service, the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and the Royal Australian Air Force currently operate P-3 aircraft equipped with the BAE Systems DAS, the only off-the-shelf P-3 digital autopilot available worldwide. The system also is being delivered as part of Project Aurora, Canadas Department of National Defenses P-3 fleet-wide upgrade.

About BAE SYSTEMS

BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years. It is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems.

BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company employs more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of more than $20 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.

BAE Systems North America is a high-technology U.S. company employing more than 25,000 people who live and work in some 30 states, the District of Columbia, and the United Kingdom. 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 Platform Solutions serves aerospace and defence prime contractors and end users with capabilities and products that improve operational safety and enhance mission effectiveness. Platform Solutions supports a wide range of military and commercial platforms, including fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, ground vehicles, and unmanned vehicles with capabilities in vehicle management, human-machine interface, precision navigation, all-weather operation, power management, and mission information management. A unit of BAE Systems North America and based in Johnson City, New York, Platform Solutions employs more than 6,000 people at facilities in the United States and United Kingdom.

BAE Systems, innovating for a safer world.