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Tag: Curtiss-Wright

  • Curtiss-Wright offers VPX3-673A module for A-PNT

    Curtiss-Wright offers VPX3-673A module for A-PNT

    Photo:
    Image: Curtiss-Wright

    In October 2022, Curtiss-Wright Corporation’s Defense Solutions division, a supplier of modular open system approach-based solutions, released the VPX3-673A module. This module is the first to deliver assured position, navigation and timing (A-PNT) along with alternative RF navigation and pntOS architecture.

    The VPX3-673A is a rugged, 3U OpenVPX, form factor module, which integrates with existing navigation sensors in vehicles operating in environments with limited or denied access to GPS, to increase assurance in the platform’s PNT solutions. It is designed to ingest positioning and timing data from multiple sensors and output accurate timing and navigation information on the battlefield using VICTORY data messages.

    It is compatible with the United States Army’s C5ISR/EW Modular Open Suite of Standards and aligned with the Sensor Open Systems Architecture Technical Standard 1.0.

    VPX3-673A includes a low noise chip-scale atomic clock with intelligence provided by Xilinx MPSoc, an alternative RF navigation receiver and a 10-degree of freedom IMU. It supports an internal or external GPS module via a front panel connector. Additionally, the VPX3-673A provides processing resources and sensor interface capabilities needed for operability with a variety of external processing and sensor units.

  • Northrop Grumman Gives Award to Curtiss-Wright for Global Hawk

    Northrop Grumman Gives Award to Curtiss-Wright for Global Hawk

    An RQ-4 Global Hawk soars through the sky to record intelligence, surveillence and reconnaissance data. Air Force and Navy officials met to discuss joint training with the RQ-4. (Courtesy USAF)
    An RQ-4 Global Hawk soars through the sky to record intelligence, surveillence and reconnaissance data. (Courtesy USAF)

    Curtiss-Wright Corporation’s Defense Solutions division was honored by Northrop Grumman for its role as a supplier in support of the RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

    Global Hawk has flown 150,000 total flight hours supporting diverse global missions. Carrying a variety of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sensor payloads, Global Hawk supports anti-terrorism, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, airborne communications and information-sharing missions.

    A ceremony was held Aug. 19 at Curtiss-Wright’s Integrated Systems facility in Santa Clarita, Calif., for the program to receive the James G. Roche Sustainment Excellence Award for a third year in a row. During the ceremony, an award was presented by Mick Jaggers, Global Hawk UAS vice president and program manager, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Sector, and accepted by Lynn Bamford, senior vice president and general manager, Defense Solutions division. The event was also attended by Rep. Steve Knight, U.S. Congressman for California’s 25th District.

    (From left) Knight, Bamford and Jaggers with the award.
    (From left) Knight, Bamford and Jaggers with the award.

    “We extend our sincerest congratulations to the US Air Force on this award and Northrop Grumman for their stellar job as the prime contractor on the milestone setting RQ-4 Global Hawk UAS,” said Ms. Bamford. “We take great pride in Curtiss-Wright’s role as an industry leader in providing advanced rugged electronics that help lower this important aircraft’s cost through the use of commercial-off-the-shelf technologies.”

    During the ceremony, Jaggers remarked, “An aircraft as sophisticated as the Global Hawk comes together with the help of many partners, and one of the most crucial sustainment partners on the Global Hawk is Curtiss-Wright.”

    The Sustainment Excellence Award is granted by Headquarters U.S. Air Force Logistics, Installations and Mission Support. It is named for Dr. James G. Roche, the 20th Secretary of the Air Force, a position he held from 2001 to 2005.