Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
General Dynamics UK will supply eight Tactical Processors and Security Enhanced Data Transfer Units for installation on the AgustaWestland AW159 helicopter, under an order announced on 23 January.
The equipment will be installed on the AW159 in pursuit of a number of export opportunities by AgustaWestland. Both products are currently integrated into the UK Ministry of Defence AgustaWestland AW159 Lynx Wildcat helicopter platforms.
The General Dynamics UK tactical processor will host software applications and interface with onboard hardware; providing a video processing and distribution function, embedded mission recording and playback, and a digital map capability.
The Security Enhanced Data Transfer Unit is based on the company’s airborne solid-state recording system and uses a ViaSat encryption solution. This allows a user operating in an unfriendly environment to safely record and store data for further use. It also enables the transfer of data on and off the platforms via memory cartridge. Typical data transfers include uploading mission and digital-map data, along with extraction of recorded data such as radar and electro-optical sensors, voice and data communications and tactical mission data.
Steve Rowbotham, chief operating officer, General Dynamics UK, said: ‘This contract is another example of our highly successful relationship with AgustaWestland, with whom we have worked closely on other important programmes. It is also recognition of the highly-capable electronic solutions General Dynamics UK currently provides on a variety of different platforms.’
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