Posted by John McHale

 

INDIANAPOLIS, 6 Nov. 2010. Raytheon Co. (NYSE: RTN) won a contract to upgrade the cockpit's Center Display Unit (CDU) of  U.S. Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard F-16 aircraft.  The Raytheon CDU will replace multiple analog flight instrument displays currently used in the F-16 cockpit with a single large, color liquid crystal display (LCD). Advanced technology will provide pilots with new capabilities, including the ability to overlay data from both onboard and remote sensors on a digital moving map, video processing, and two-way data-link situational awareness messaging.

 

Raytheon Technical Services Co. LLC (RTSC) will perform engineering and low rate initial production on the system at its site in Indianapolis under the initial contract. The initial contract value is $3.1 million for system integration and pre-production units. The contract includes options for production of as many a 120 systems per year for five years.The contract includes five optional years of full rate production.

 

"The CDU will be a significant advance in providing information F-16 pilots need to conduct their missions," says Wayne Iurillo RTSC customized engineering and depot support vice president. "Giving them the data they need, when they need it, will help ensure their effectiveness in the battle zone, their ability to protect and support ground forces, and their safety while performing their duties."