Radstone, Smiths, to upgrade Sea Harrier flight computer

Designers at the British Aerospace Defence Ltd. Military Aircraft Division in Preston, England, are choosing Smiths Industries Aerospace & Defence Systems Ltd. of Cheltenham, England, and subcontractor Radstone Technology PLC of Towcester, England, to supply the new core computer for the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) on the U.K. Royal Navy F/A-2 Sea Harrier combat jet. Radstone engineers will supply their PowerPC 604e single-board VME computer, 1553 PCI mezzanine card, and eight-slot 3/4 air transport rack chassis and power supply. The new Sea Harrier computer will replace the aircraft`s existing bus control and interface unit, and provide JTIDS processing capability. - J.K.