TOWCESTER, Northamptonshire, England, 11 Nov. 2005. Radstone Technology today announced that the company had received an extension to an existing contract from the Raytheon Company to supply PPC4A single board computers, MIL STD 1553 interfaces, and Fibre Channel modules for incorporation into 521 ATFLIR pods.
With its enhanced target detection and recognition range, ATFLIR (Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infra Red) extends the capability and survivability of the U.S. Navy's F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft squadrons worldwide.
Among its benefits are that it delivers a substantial increase in target detection/recognition range over first-generation systems, and pinpoint accuracy and assessment from longer standoff ranges. Its target detection range shows a four-fold improvement over previous systems, and laser designation is effective at altitudes up to 50,000 feet and at a slant range of greater than 30 miles. These features enhance F/A-18 aircrew survivability, allowing the pilot and weapon systems operator to strike from safer distances.
The computers are scheduled for delivery over the next five years, with a net additional value to Radstone of $12 million. The original contract from Raytheon for ATFLIR systems was received in June 1998.
"This latest order is a further demonstration of Radstone's leadership in rugged, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) computing technology -- and also of the excellent long term working relationship we have with Raytheon," said Jeff Perrin, Radstone's chief executive. "ATFLIR's multifunctionality, its versatility and its interoperability are characteristic of the latest generation of systems designed for network-centric warfare, the goal of which is to deliver battlefield advantage through superior information acquisition and communication. Our product range is specifically designed with these needs in mind."
Radstone Technology PLC is a global provider of computer products and services at the leading edge of the IT and electronics industry. The group's main business, Radstone Embedded Computing, designs and manufactures embedded computer products for defense and aerospace applications. Radstone's products are all based on leading-edge commercial technologies.
Radstone Embedded Computing includes Radstone Digital Processing, which leads the market in the development and delivery of rugged, high performance single board computers, communications and networking modules and digital signal processors; ICS (Interactive Circuits and Systems), a leader in the field of data acquisition and processing; and Octec, a developer and manufacturer of high performance real-time video tracking and image processing solutions.
Foundation Technology is the Group's Electronics Manufacturing Services business, and provides a wide range of electronic manufacturing services including design, development and fast-track prototype build, through to component procurement, automated assembly and test. For more information, see www.radstone.co.uk.
