BAE SYSTEMS To Provide Mission Computer And Autopilot System For Hawk Trainers
11 Jan 2005
BAE Systems Platform Solutions will provide the mission computer and autopilot system for 20 Hawk 128 Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft recently ordered by the United Kingdoms Ministry of Defence.
The mission computer is an open-architecture system in development at Platform Solutions facility in Edinburgh, U.K. This computer provides the graphics for all six cockpit display panels and a head-up display.
The new autopilot system will enable the MoD to fly the Hawk in controlled civil airspace and will also reduce pilot workload. The system consists of a computer, rate gyro unit, tailplane actuator, and aileron actuators. The gyros will be provided by BEI Systron Donner, and the actuators by Smiths Aerospace.
Additionally, the Platform Solutions unit will provide the aircrafts Inertial Navigation Global Positioning System (IN-GPS) system. IN-GPS forms the core of the aircrafts positioning and navigation system by correlating both inertial and global positioning satellite data to provide an accurate positional fix.
The Hawk 128 will play an important role for the MoD well into the future, and we are very pleased to have been chosen to participate in this contract, said Mike Austill, managing director of Avionic Systems for the Platform Solutions Business. Our team in Edinburgh has been working hard for the past 24 months to develop the new mission computer, and we look forward to working with our customer to integrate this equipment on the new aircraft.
BAE Systems Air Systems, based in Brough, U.K., is the Hawk prime contractor. The MoDs order - consisting of an initial purchase of 20 aircraft with an option for an additional 24 - keeps the Hawk at the leading edge of fast-jet training technology and reinforces its position as the worlds most successful advanced jet trainer. These aircraft are scheduled for delivery beginning in 2008.
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, fighting vehicles, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. 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.
The company has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. It employs more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately 12 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.
BAE Systems North America is one of Americas foremost national security, aerospace and information systems companies. It is a leading provider of electronic and information-based systems and knowledge-based solutions that meet our customers mission effectiveness and operational safety needs. BAE Systems North America employs more than 30,000 people at sites across the United States and the United Kingdom and generates more than $5 billion in annual sales.
BAE Systems Platform Solutions serves the aerospace and defence community 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.
For further information, please contact:
Larry Stone, BAE Systems Platform Solutions
Tel: +1 607 770 3944 Mobile: +1 607 759 2545
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