Curtiss-Wright to provide mission computers to Thales
Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions has received a contract from Thales UK for its commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) Packaged COTS (PCOTS) mission computers, the company announced on 10 April.
The system will be used with Thales’ new Elix-IR next generation threat warning system, an airborne multifunction passive infrared threat warning system designed to provide enhanced mission survivability for military aircraft.
The initial development contract is worth $300,000. The potential lifetime value of the production contract is estimated at $30 million. Production will begin in late 2018 and is expected to run through 2028.
The PCOTS rugged mission computer, housed in a rugged chassis, features Curtiss-Wright 3U OpenVPX single board computers and switches.
Thales’ Elix-IR system provides simultaneous and unimpeded missile warning, hostile fire indication and 360° coverage from a single sensor system. The system can detect passive man/crew-portable air defence systems, small-to-large calibre guns, rocket propelled grenades and other unguided rockets that are threatening the platform.
The Elix-IR has been designed for use on a wide range of rotary and fixed-wing platforms including helicopters, transport aircraft and VIP aircraft.
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