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.