BAE Systems awarded DARPA MFRF ARMS contract
BAE Systems has announced that it has been awarded a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) contract to develop the next generation Multi-Function Radio Frequency (MFRF) Advanced Rotary Wing Multifunction Sensor (ARMS) system for helicopter operations. The contract, announced 21 March 2012, is worth $34 million.
The MFRF ARMS system improves aircraft survivability in degraded visual environments (DVE) while enhancing platform lethality and minimizing size, weight, power and cost. BAE Systems said the system will help to solve the leading cause of helicopter-related casualties, and is designed to allow for safe take-off and landing in brownout or whiteout conditions.
Other advantages of the MFRF system include cable and obstacle avoidance, collision avoidance, terrain following/terrain avoidance, weather avoidance, landing zone assessment and ground mapping. The system’s multi-functionality also enables additional modes for lethality enhancements including targeting, weapons guidance and high bandwidth data communications.
A key component of the system is a highly-modular and scalable W-band Active Electronically Steered Array (AESA) constructed using only silicon semiconductors. The AESA design, which includes over 10,000 elements, is built from a silicon Transmit/Receive ‘Tile’ containing 16 elements and beamformer electronics in a single chip.
The result is a software-programmable, AESA-based radar/sensor that can be scaled up or down across a wide range of aperture sizes. A Software Developers Kit will be designed that allows system developers to rapidly define and program new radar modes into the sensor.
The ARMS program is a key element in an overall Integrated Threat Management System that provides rotary wing crews with real-time situational understanding of threats to the aircraft and its missions including terrain obstacles, other aircraft, cables and enemy munitions.
BAE Systems leads the research team for this programme which includes Mustang Technology Group, Honeywell Aerospace Defense & Space, Applied Signal Intelligence, Inc. and the University of Michigan.
More from Defence Helicopter
-
Royal Navy helicopter crews transfer control of UAS in European first
Using technology supplied by QinetiQ, two Royal Navy helicopter crews successfully exchanged control of a UAS while in flight.
-
Leonardo wins Canadian helicopter upgrade programme
The upgrade contract will ensure that the Candian helicopters are compliant with future technological requirements.
-
Guatemala receives Bell Subaru helicopters
The latest version of the Bell 412 helicopter has improved performance and weight capacity and will support Guatemala in various missions.
-
Algeria expresses interest in AW249 while AW139 deal remains in limbo
Leonardo and Algeria hope to seal the AW139 deal in 2023 while Italy and the North African country further strengthen defence ties.
-
Nigeria to receive new attack helicopters
The Nigerian Air Force is to receive more than 50 attack air assets to strengthen its ability to fight insecurity within its borders.
-
Royal Navy upgrades Merlin helicopters
The Royal Navy's amphibious helicopters have received an improved defensive aid suit and Merlin pilots can now train in a synthetic training environment.