NETANYA, Israel, 24 Jan. 2006. RADA Electronic Industries Ltd. announced today that it was awarded a contract by Smiths Aerospace - Digital Systems - Information Systems, to provide Boeing and the U.S. Navy with Digital Video Recorder and Processor (DVRP) systems for its T-45 advanced trainer aircraft.
The program includes potential delivery of over 240 DVRP units over the period 2006 to 2008.
The replacement of the T-45's Video Tape Recorder (VTR) with the DVRP is one of the first full-scale replacement programs of aging airborne tape recorders with digital video recorders, and RADA expects this to become an increasing trend in the near future. Smiths and RADA estimate that the 10,000-plus VTRs that are currently installed on various aircraft will be replaced by digital recorders before the aircraft, in which they are installed, are retired.
The DVRP technology was developed by RADA upon recognizing the potential need and future demand for such systems. RADA entered the digital video arena in 2001 during the Israeli "Peace Marble V" program. Together with Smiths, complete digital video and data transfer equipment were installed onboard the new Israeli Air Force (IAF) F-16I aircraft, complemented with the "Reality by RADA" Squadron Information Management Network. Later, in 2003, as part of the "Peace Puma" F-16 program, RADA was also awarded a contract by the Chilean Air Force to replace their V-83 tape recorders with digital video recorders and Ground Debriefing Systems.
"This program supports our belief in the value of our product offering, and we are expecting an accelerating demand for these products. We believe one of the main strengths that won us the deal is our modular product design, which allows us to easily tailor the product to the different needs of our various customers," said Zvi Alon, RADA's V.P. of business development.
Adar Azancot, RADA's CEO, said, "This award further strengthens our relationship with Smiths and indicates that our strategy in penetrating the US market through cooperation with American partners is correct."
RADA Electronic Industries Ltd. is an Israel based company involved in the military and commercial aerospace industries. The company specializes in avionics, ground debriefing stations (video, ACMI and maintenance) and automatic test equipment. For more information, see www.rada.com.
