EDO has been awarded a contract from Lockheed Martin for continued production of its LAU-142/A AMRAAM Vertical Ejection Launcher, or AVEL, for the F-22 Raptor.
This latest order, at a value not to exceed a $17.2 million, covers production of up to 24 Lot-6 aircraft. Production Lot-6 will bring the total number of F-22 aircraft under order to 131; all of which are equipped with the AVEL. These aircraft are slated for delivery to the Air Force in 2008.
EDO's breakthrough design addresses the need to carry and eject missiles from within concealed weapon bays. The AVEL's rapid ejection rate minimizes the time the weapon-bay doors are open therefore maintaining the fighter's stealth characteristics. It also ejects at the precise angle and velocity needed to optimize missile guidance and avoid interfering with the aircraft's maneuvers at supersonic speeds. The AVEL employs a highly reliable pneumatic-ejection system controlled by the aircraft's stores-management system.
"The AVEL is an example of the type of highly-engineered technology that is central to our growth strategy," said CEO James M. Smith. "In addition to the new F-22 platform, EDO provides aircraft-armament equipment for many of the leading fighter jets in use today, including the F-15, F-16, and F/A-18. The company is also developing an internal launcher for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter which is in development, as well as ejection systems for the Navy's new P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft."
