F/A-18 Mission Computers to be designed by General Dynamics

Posted by John McHaleFAIRFAX, Va., 13 April 2011. General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems engineers will be producing Type-3 advanced mission computers (AMCs) for the F/A-18E/F and E/A-18G Super Hornet aircraft under a U.S. Navy contract worth $17.9 million contract. The AMC is the nerve center of the Super Hornet, providing situational awareness and combat systems control to the flight crew. A ruggedized, high-performance, high-reliability mission, and display-processing system, the AMC can process high-speed data flows from the latest sensor technologies. General Dynamics uses commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products and an open systems architecture to allow for rapid technology insertions to enhance capability and keep lifecycle costs down. The AMC performs general purpose, input/output, video, voice and graphics processing, and it is designed to operate in extreme environmental conditions of today’s high-performance fighter aircraft. “This contract marks 11 years of producing a reliable, open and cost-effective nerve center for the U.S. Navy’s Super Hornet,” says Lou Von Thaer, president of General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems. “Our open architecture approach provides our customer with the latest capability without the expense of changing the aircraft or its support systems.” The production of AMCs began in 2002 to equip new F/A-18 aircraft. By 2006, the requirements for AMCs had expanded to include equipping the Navy to retrofit operational aircraft to extend the life of the jets. This contract will be performed primarily at the General Dynamics facility in Bloomington, Minn., where it is supported by more than 125 employees. This work under this contract will be completed by the end of 2012.