Navy awards company $41.9 million contract to purchase digital autopilot systems

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, we're extremely pleased by the U.S. Navy's 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 aircraft's 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, Canada's Department of National Defense's P-3 fleet-wide upgrade.

FMI: www.baesystems.com