Smiths Aerospace was recently selected by Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems to supply triple-redundant engine interface units (EIU) and engine throttle actuators (ETAs) for the X-47B Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS).
The development and production phases could potentially be worth nearly $15 million should the demonstration program enter production. The ETA is supplied in partnership with Eaton Aerospace. Ship set deliveries will commence in the fourth quarter in 2005 from Smiths' facility in Michigan.
Commenting on the company's J-UCAS involvement, Dr. John Ferrie, President, Smiths Aerospace said, "This win marks the next step in Smiths' actuation control from our new Vehicle Management System. We look forward to continuing a long and successful relationship with Northrop Grumman."
In addition to this win, Smiths has recently delivered the program's first electronics including vehicle management computers (VMCs) and remote input / output units, plus mission computers for the surrogate air vehicle. The vehicle management computers are the heart of aircraft avionics, acting like the vehicle's central nervous system.
The triple-redundant J-UCAS VMCs are the backbone of the air vehicle's computers, networks, and interfacing electronics, and together with the Smiths-supplied redundant mission computers, will host all of the airplane's avionics, flight controls and utilities functions. The system will replace dozens of traditional, standalone computers and data busses fitted to present day aircraft.
Smiths combined systems make it the largest non-partner equipment supplier to the Northrop Grumman X-47B J-UCAS programme. Should X-47B J-UCAS enter production, Smiths' total contract value could potentially be worth more than $300 million over the life of the program and includes the following systems:
