HUNT VALLEY, Md., 5 Dec. 2005. AAI Corp. has received a contract to provide the Republic of Singapore with two Advanced Boresight Equipment (ABE) systems for alignment of that nation's fleet of AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters.
The contract, valued at $1.6 million, was awarded by the U.S. Defense Department's Foreign Military Sales program through the U.S. Army's Aviation & Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal, Ala.
The order is for two ABE Model 310 common systems and components to upgrade an earlier Model 300 ABE to the latest configuration. AAI will also supply supporting aircraft interface adapters, documentation, as well as training and support services.
Singapore armed forces technicians will use the new ABE Model 310 systems for expanding precision alignment of sensor and weapon stations aboard Apache Longbow helicopters while in the field or depot.
Other recent AAI orders for ABE system applications with Apache helicopter fleets include a Model 310 and associated adapters for the Royal Netherlands Air Force (their second unit) and five for the military forces of two other allied nations.
"More and more allied nations are selecting ABE Model 310 units for alignment of sensor and weapon systems aboard their military aircraft," said Ed Buffington, vice president of AAI's Test and Training business unit.
"Military services are seeing the benefit of extending the same precision boresight technologies that manufacturers apply in the production and testing of aircraft and helicopters, thus ensuring operational capabilities of aircraft sensors and weapon systems while reducing ownership costs."
The growing worldwide customer base for ABE system alignment applications for aircraft fleets includes the armed forces of nine nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Singapore, and others.
ABE boresight systems are compatible with a wide array of aircraft and rotorcraft types, including fighters and transports. Current applications include the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the Eurofighter EF2000 Typhoon, the C- 17 Globemaster III heavylifter, the C-130 Hercules transport, the Nimrod MRA4, the MH-60R Seahawk and AH-1W/Z Super Cobra Helicopters.
Model 310 boresight system technologies provide gyro-stabilized, electro-optical alignment that significantly increases accuracy and repeatability, reduces maintenance time, and lowers operating costs.
AAI Corp. is a subsidiary of United Industrial Corp., a company that designs, produces, and supports defense systems. Its products and services include unmanned aerial vehicle systems, training and simulation systems, automated aircraft test and maintenance equipment, armament systems, logistical and engineering services, and other leading-edge technology solutions for defense needs. The company also manufactures combustion equipment for biomass and refuse fuels. For more information, see www.unitedindustrial.com or www.aaicorp.com.
