GREENLAWN, N.Y., 18 Dec. 2007.BAE Systems has received a $37 million contract to provide mission computer system suites for four Boeing 737 airborne early warning and control aircraft, supporting the Republic of Korea's EX program. The 737 EX program will provide the Republic of Korea with enhanced airborne surveillance, communications, and battle-management capabilities.
Under contract from Boeing, the EX program prime contractor, BAE Systems also will provide three software development labs to support development, integration, and training of the new mission computer system.
"The ever-increasing capability of airborne sensors in surveillance aircraft requires a scalable mission computer system with easy-to-read display data," says Lloyd Crosman, 737 EX program manager for BAE Systems in Greenlawn, New York.
The mission computer suite to go aboard the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft consists of a computer processor with embedded map server and flight-deck tactical display functionality. The suite provides all central mission computing, mass data storage, and high-speed local-area network capability. It also features a communications control processor that provides interfaces to all aircraft sensor and communication subsystems.
The mission computer architecture, derived from the telecommunications industry, offers lower weight and cost, freeing up resources for other capabilities. The advanced telecom computing architecture also increases processing capability and establishes a path for future technology insertion. BAE Systems' development of telecom computer architecture for military use is among the first military applications of this technology.
Delivery of the first software development lab is scheduled for July 2008. The first mission computer system suite is scheduled for April 2009.
