Curtiss-Wright to supply processor modules for FCS computers

Curtiss-Wright Corporationhas been awarded an $8 million contract by General Dynamics C4 Systems and Rockwell Collins to provide Curtiss-Wright General Processor Modules (GPM) for use in the Integrated Computer System (ICS) of the US Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) programme.

The Integrated Computer System combines a wide range of previously independent computing applications into a single, integrated, secure processing environment. ICS is a common computing environment for 13 of the 14 platforms in the FCS family of systems which comprises a network of sensors, unmanned aerial platforms and manned and unmanned ground systems.

"We have worked diligently to develop the embedded computing standards that enable the maximum throughput, compatibility and overall performance for defense applications," said Martin R. Benante, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Curtiss-Wright. "This award is a clear indication of our industry-leading technology and its value to future defense programmes."

Under the terms of the contract, Curtiss-Wright will supply the processing modules to General Dynamics and Rockwell Collins for integration into the ICS system. The initial order is for more than 1,000 modules with deliveries scheduled to begin during the second quarter of 2008.

General Dynamics and Rockwell Collins were jointly awarded a contract by Boeing and Science Applications International Corporation to accelerate technology development of the Integrated Computing System in 2005. By March 2007, the team had designed, built, tested and delivered the first ICS unit for use in an FCS mobile platform.

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