Elbit Systems of America to upgrade USAF WAC HUDs
Elbit Systems of America has been awarded a five-year, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to upgrade the US Air Force’s (USAF’s) Block 30 and Block 50 f-16 Wide Angle Conventional (WAC) Head Up Displays (HUDs). The company made the announcement in a company statement on 4 December 2011.
Under the contract, Elbit Systems of America will manufacture Reliability and Maintainability (R&M) Electronic Module Assemblies (EMA) for the WAC HUDs. The contract is worth a possible $38.5 to the company.
The Wide Angle Conventional Head-Up Display (WAC HUD) takes critical flight and mission data which is normally displayed inside the cockpit on an instrument panel and projects that information on a transparent surface directly in front of the pilot allowing for eyes out of the cockpit and improved situational awareness.
According to the company, Elbit Systems of America Services and Support Solutions developed the new electronic module design in conjunction with its affiliate, Elbit Systems Electro-Optics Elop Ltd. (Elop). The assemblies utilise legacy optics but replace the outmoded chassis, cathode ray tube (CRT) and associated drive control electronics with current technology. The new design reduces total part count, lowering power consumption and significantly improving meantime between failure (MTBF).
More from Defence Notes
-
Malaysia’s defence budget sets out major procurement goals for 2026
The country has allocated RM21.70 billion for defence spending next year, with some major procurements set to be initiated across the country’s army, navy and air force.
-
GAO highlights the need for more commercial data and availability improvements
The US Government Accountability Office recently released two reports; one into the availability of selected equipment and another looking at how the government gets data and intellectual property rights through contracting.
-
How Canada plans to “seize” the opportunity to increase investments in defence
The Canadian Department of National Defence has been increasing efforts to accelerate the acquisition of new equipment and modernise its in-service inventory.
-
Palantir and Boeing partner up to bring AI to defence manufacturing
The partnership with the US airframer will see Palantir’s AI software leveraged to help streamline data analytics across Boeing’s 12 factories on defence and classified programmes.
-
DroneShield to double its US footprint to meet growing demand for counter-UxS capabilities
DroneShield disclosed to Shephard its plans to increase its workforce and manufacturing capacities while strengthening partnerships with US suppliers.
-
Singapore’s DSTA seeks wider partnerships to advance robotics and AI capabilities
The technology organisation is expecting a significant rise in the number of staff working across robotics and digital solutions as it becomes more of a focal point.