GE To Supply Open Systems CNI Solution For C-130J Flight Deck
FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GE-Aviation has been selected by Lockheed Martin to supply the open systems avionics solution for the C-130J aircraft. The system is in support of the Block 7.0 Communications/Navigation/Identification (CNI) for the C-130J flight deck avionics system. The contract addresses the Block 7.0 development for more than 230 aircraft operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) and other international air forces. The contract has an estimated value of more than $30 million over the life of the program, excluding production.
"The C-130J's open systems architecture provides the ideal platform to enhance the aircraft's performance," said John Ferrie, President of GE's Aviation Systems. "Our broad avionics and systems integration experience on C-130 aircraft makes us the ideal partner to support this important upgrade to the U.S. Air Force's fleet."
The GE supplied equipment features a compute platform with an AE653 partitioned operating system with extensive processing capability and growth. The platform hosts GE's flight management software application as well as other GE produced and 3rd party software applications. GE will also provide systems and sub-systems integration and support to the customer. The development is currently taking place and production will commence in 2010. The avionics are being designed and manufactured at GE's facility in Michigan.
The C-130J is the latest addition to the C-130 fleet, replacing aging C-130Es and C-130Hs. Its state-of-the-art technology will reduce manpower requirements, lower operating and support costs, and provide life-cycle cost savings over earlier C-130 models. In addition, the J model climbs faster and higher, flies farther at a higher cruise speed, and takes off and lands in shorter distances compared to older C-130 models.
GE has more than three decades of experience working on applications to modernize C-130 avionics to enhance the aircraft's capability. The C-130J's open systems architecture offers suppliers significant growth opportunities for the future, including platform computing, a partitioned operating system, RNP capable flight management and advanced tactical technologies.
Earlier this year, GE also secured a contract with options to provide performance-based logistics (PBL) support for the C-130J/K aircraft through 2016. The contract has a potential value of $52 million.
GE-Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet engines and components as well as integrated systems and product solutions for commercial and military aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings. For more information, visit us at www.ge.com/aviation
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