Microvision is to upgrade its helmet-mounted display to prepare for flight tests under the US Army's Virtual Cockpit Optimisation Programme (VCOP). Under a $3.3 million contract the company will improve the performance, reduce the size and ruggedise its prototype retinal-scanning display to produce a flight-capable system. GKN Aerospace Services is to produce 34 additional aft-fuselage components for each Lockheed Martin/ Boeing F-22 under a contract worth $2.8 million for the 23 aircraft now on long-lead order for the US Air Force. GKN's St Louis plant already supplies 337 components for the F-22, valued at $2.9 million per aircraft. Boeing is to support US, Israeli and Royal Saudi Air Force F-15s under an umbrella contract potentially worth up to $9.2 billion over 15 years. The "indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity" contract streamlines F-15 acquisition and sustainment activities. Lockheed Martin has received a $6.1 million contract to incorporate Link 16, Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System and Night Vision Imaging System into US Air Force F-16s, beginning with Block 50 C-model number 231, as part of the Common Configuration Implementation Programme upgrade. Bell Helicopter Textron has received a $23.9 million US Army contract to produce 15 extra TH-67A+ Creek training helicopters for delivery by November next year. DRS Technologies is to supply high-speed digital imaging systems to video weapon separations from F-16s under a $2.4 million Lockheed Martin contract. The systems will be used in tests of new F-16s for international customers. The US Congress has been notified of the potential $58 million sale of 80 Raytheon AIM-120C AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missiles and associated equipment to Kuwait. The possible $108 million sale of three ITT MPN-14 air traffic control radars to Taiwan has also been notified. L-3 Communications is to supply solid-state recorders for reconnaissance pods Saab Avionics is producing for Swedish air force Saab Gripens.
Source: Flight International
