EDO Smart Weapon Connector System Selected by Royal Netherlands Air Force for F-16
20 November 2005
EDO MBM Technology Ltd, a U.K. business unit of EDO Corporation (NYSE: EDO), has received a contract from the Royal Netherlands Air Force for F-16 pylon umbilicals equipped with its Field Replaceable Connector System (FRCS). This is the first F-16 FRCS contract and marks a significant revenue opportunity for EDO as operators worldwide adopt the new certified standard.
EDO MBM originally developed the FRCS in response to the degraded operational capability resulting from high separation loads and subsequent harness and pylon damage being universally experienced during "smart" Mil-Std-1760 weapon release. FRCS prevents connector jamming, ensures low and consistent separation loads, and is fully field-replaceable/repairable.
FRCS equipped umbilicals were first used during the UK "Urgent Operational Requirement" integration of Enhanced Paveway II onto Harrier GR7 and are now under full production for RAF Tornado GR4 and Harrier GR9. Certification is in progress for several other NATO fighter platforms.
EDO MBM developed the F-16 application with improved routing of the umbilical through the pylon to further assist weapon loading. Umbilicals are now certified for 100 eject releases, an order of magnitude improvement that more than justifies the cost of embodiment. The capability is now being offered to F-16 operators worldwide.
FRCS is on display at EDO's stand E309 at the Dubai international Air Show.
EDO MBM Technology Ltd (www.edombmtech.co.uk), a subsidiary of EDO (U.K.) Ltd, produces weapon carriage and release systems, rugged portable computers and flexible circuits for the aerospace and defense industries.
About EDO Corporation
EDO Corporation is the market leader in sophisticated aircraft-armament carriage and release systems. For decades, EDO has provided such equipment for the world's dominant jet fighters, including the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, Tornado and Harrier. EDO is currently developing pneumatic launching systems for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and Boeing Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft.
For the F/A-22, EDO has developed and produces the AMRAAM Vertical Eject Launcher (AVEL), which employs the company's state-of-the-art pneumatic ejection technology.
In addition to Aircraft Armament, EDO Corporation has core competencies in a wide range of critical defense areas, including:
-- C4I - Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence
-- Defense Electronics
-- Undersea Warfare
-- Integrated Composite Structures
-- Professional and Engineering Services
EDO (www.edocorp.com) was founded in 1925, and is headquartered in New York City. The company had revenues last year of $536 million, and employs 2,800 people.
Source: Business Wire
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