General Dynamics Celebrates U.S. Navy's AN/AYK-14 Airborne Computer System 30th Anniversary
Government and industry team key to longevity of the standard airborne computer system
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems and the U.S. Navy celebrated the 30th anniversary of the AN/AYK-14 Navy Standard Airborne Computer today during a ceremony at the computer’s manufacturing and support center. Members of the Naval Air Systems Command’s Air Combat Electronic program office (PMA-209), including Capt. Gregory Silvernagel, PMA-209 program manager, and Rex Coombs, AYK-14 lead engineer and integrated program team lead, joined executives and hundreds of employees from General Dynamics to recognize the team’s accomplishments.
The AN/AYK-14 computer incorporates commercially available components to provide system or embedded mission processing capabilities for multiple U.S. and allied platforms. It is still in use on more than 1,000 Navy fleet aircraft, including the F/A-18, AV-8B, and the EA-6B. General Dynamics has provided more than 10,000 units over the past three decades.
“The impressive accomplishment of the AYK-14 supporting the warfigher for 30 years could not have been accomplished without the outstanding performance of a truly integrated industry and government team. AYK-14 has set the mark for efficiently maximizing capability across multiple Naval aircraft types,” said Capt. Silvernagel during the ceremony. “In an era of tight military budgets, AYK-14 provides an example of how to get the most capability out of every dollar.”
While unveiling a plaque for the Navy team, Jim Stockdale, vice president of missions systems at General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, said “The longevity of the AN/AYK-14 is a testament to the PMA-209’s vision of common avionics and the strength of our industry and government team. Congratulations and thank you for a long partnership that has made a difference to the fleet.”
The Navy’s vision for the AYK-14 was to provide a common, modular and reconfigurable airborne mission computer that used advanced technologies. Faced with a growing number of proprietary and unique mission computers, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy directed the development and procurement of the AYK-14 in 1976. During that same year, the first contract was awarded to Control Data Corp., later acquired by General Dynamics Corp.
The AN/AYK-14’s comprehensive, proactive upgrade program ensures long-term supportability for the fleet. General Dynamics will provide spare systems and repairs to current systems through 2030. The current total contract value has exceeded $2 billion over the life of the contract.
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, headquartered in Arlington, Va., is a leading provider of transformational mission solutions in command, control, communications, and computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Customers include those in the defense, intelligence, homeland security and homeland defense communities. More information is available on the Internet at www.gd-ais.com.
General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 81,900 people worldwide and had 2005 revenue of $21.2 billion. The company is a market leader in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. More information about the company can be found at www.generaldynamics.com.
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August 31, 2006
Contact: Terri Burnor
Tel: (952) 921-6553
Email: Terri.Burnor@gd-ais.com
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