TMCnet News
BAE SYSTEMS To Provide Mission Computer and Autopilot System for Hawk TrainersJOHNSON CITY, N.Y. --(Business Wire)-- Jan. 11, 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 Kingdom's 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 aircraft's Inertial Navigation Global Positioning System (IN-GPS) system. IN-GPS forms the core of the aircraft's 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 MoD's 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 world's most successful advanced jet trainer. These aircraft are scheduled for delivery beginning in 2008. BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defense and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. BAE Systems Platform Solutions serves the aerospace and defense community with capabilities and products that improve operational safety and enhance mission effectiveness. |
