HIAWATHA, Iowa, 11 June 2015.Boeing engineers working on retrofitting P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft for the U.S. Navy needed a modern system to store collected digital video and data. They found their solution at Crystal Group Inc., a manufacturer of rugged commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and custom-developed computers, displays, switches, and storage devices in Hiawatha, Iowa.
Crystal Group won a contract extension from Boeing to provide Video And Data Storage System (VADSS) units for use aboard the U.S. Navy's fleet of P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft.
Under this contract extension, Crystal Group will provide Boeing with VADSS hardware to retrofit 24 low-rate initial production aircraft that Boeing has already delivered to the U.S. Navy, with installations beginning in Q4 2015.
The entire contract, including prior award to supply VADSS for Lots 4 and 5 of the P-8A production, is expected to be completed in Q4 2016.
VADSS includes Crystal Group's rugged, lightweight computer servers and storage devices that capture and process video data gathered from surveillance sensors onboard the aircraft.
"This order extension to retrofit 24 additional aircraft is a testament to the Navy and Boeing's commitment to apply VADS System to the entire fleet," says Todd Prouty, business development manager for Crystal Group. “We are excited about this partnership to offer our customers a comprehensive line of rugged solutions for their unique operational needs."
Crystal Group Inc., an employee-owned small business located in Hiawatha, Iowa, is a technology leader specializing in both custom and COTS products for defense, government, and industrial markets since 1987. Crystal Group designs and manufactures installation-ready rugged servers, displays, networking devices, embedded systems, and storage devices that fit critical applications in demanding environmental conditions.
