FLIR and EOSS get a new lease on life
After the glory of initial development and deployment, the more behind-the-scenes requirement for life-cycle support steps into the limelight. Case in point: U.S. Special Operations Command and Raytheon recently incarnated a life-cycle contractor support contract with a $48 million ceiling. The contract specifies that Raytheon affords Electro-Optical Sensor System (EOSS) and Forward Looking Infrared Radar System (FLIR) system and ancillary-equipment subsystem life-cycle support for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) and Marine, Air Force, Navy, and Army components (Figure 3). Contract fulfillment is slated for El Segundo, CA and McKinney, TX through Feb. 2015.
Figure 4 | A recent U.S. Navy contract stipulates that Centurum Information Technology, Inc. renders cryptologic systems support to both the U.S. Navy and the U.K. Navy. Stock photo
Navy systems get more secure
The ability to securely relay military intelligence and commands is paramount to mission success – and to national or interna- tional security. Thus, the U.S. Navy and Centurum Information Technology, Inc. recently penned a $15 million IDIQ contract for tactical cryptologic systems support (Figure 4). Specifically, Centurum Information Technology is to provide test and evalu- ation services for the U.K. Navy and U.S. Navy shore and ship- board cryptologic systems (i.e., systems engaging in scientific study of cryptanalysis and cryptography) globally. Work comple- tion is anticipated to occur in Charleston, SC, by March 2012, or March 2016 if all contract options are activated. All options, if exercised, could escalate the contract’s total to about $82 million.
Northrop Grumman sets the stage
Figure 3 | A new up-to-$48 million contract calls for Raytheon to render life-cycle contractor support for EOSS and FLIR systems. FLIR photo courtesy of the U.S. Air Force, by Staff Sgt. Quinton Russ
A330 MRTT flies to DO-178B Level A
With passenger safety on the line, there shouldn’t be any guesswork when it comes to software coding and resultant func- tioning. Thus, certifying airborne software is imperative … and not easy. However, Airbus Military’s A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) recently achieved DO-178B level A software certification, with the aid of AdaCore’s GNATcheck tool. GNATcheck verifies software-coding compliance to DO-178B by enabling engineers to define a set of rules derived from a cod- ing standard such as DO-178B. Meanwhile, the A330 MRTT – designed to transport aircraft and administer air-to-air refueling – is a military incarnation of Airbus’s A330-200 airliner. Other notables of A330 MRTT include its full fly-by-wire, all-electrical flight control system, along with autonomous disconnect for both tanker and receiver.
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When the project is as large an undertaking as the USS Abraham Lincoln’s (CVN 72’s) overhaul, the recent exer- cise of a $206 million option to an existing Northrop Grumman/ U.S. Navy contract is likely not a surprise. Accordingly, under the option, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Inc. will keep up its ongoing advance planning efforts to prepare for the overhaul. Said efforts include engineering, procurement, design, fabrica- tion, and shipyard work as routine ship work, modernization, and refueling continue for CVN 72 and its reactor plants (Figure 5). Contract option activity takes place at Newport News, VA, slated for completion in February 2012. The contracting activity is the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, DC.
Figure 5 | A recently exercised $206 million contract option has Northrop Grumman prepping for CVN-72’s overhaul. U.S. Navy photo by Capt. Lee Apsley
MILITARY EMBEDDED SYSTEMS March/April 2011 17
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