CHARLOTTE, NC – June 4, 2013 – Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc. today announced that it has received a contract from BAE Systems to design and develop a rugged embedded processor subsystem for use as the next generation Central Processing Unit (CPU) on the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle. This contract results from the Engineering Change Proposal 2 (ECP 2) program for the Bradley, which BAE Systems was awarded in September, 2012. The initial contract is valued at approximately $3 million. Shipments under this initial contract are scheduled to commence in June, 2013 and continue through the first quarter of 2015. The estimated contract value over the lifetime of the program, which is expected to end in 2028, is $75 million.
Under the contract, the Curtiss-Wright Controls Defense Solutions group will supply its Turret Processor Unit III (TPU III) subsystem, comprising its Fire Control Processor III (FCP III) single board computer and COTS PMC-651 Ethernet Switch, as the baseline solution for the CPU. Additional general purpose and graphics processor cards will be analyzed to support the ECP 2 CPU upgrade program.
The TPU III subsystem will provide high density computing power to support processing for the Bradley’s fire control system (FCS) as well as additional potential functionality such as embedded training to meet the Bradley’s future operational requirements. The compact, lightweight single chassis solution features hybrid backplane technology that supports both VME and VPX open standards.
“We are very pleased that BAE Systems has chosen our COTS subsystem technology, featuring our open system architecture using industry standards for this important upgrade to the proven Bradley Fighting Vehicle,” said Tom Quinly, President of Curtiss-Wright Controls. “This agreement represents the continued growth of our successful relationship with BAE Systems and TACOM as a provider of advanced Vetronics processing technology.”
About the Curtiss-Wright Turret Processor Unit III (TPU III)
The Curtiss-Wright Bradley TPU III was developed to provide the processing hardware for the fire control system in the Bradley Fighting Vehicle A2 ODS SA variant where a Single Card TPU is used with the Bradley Smart Display. Because the FCP III is fully compatible with the Bradley FCS’ existing software solution, the need for requalification of the software is eliminated. The TPU III also provides options to enable hosting of the ABCT Common Embedded Training System (CETS) high definition (HD)-video based training solutions. This would enable the Bradley crew to train inside the vehicle without the need for additional subsystems, which reduces the Bradley’s SWAP requirements while enhancing its capabilities.
The Curtiss-Wright Controls Defense Solutions facility located in Santa Clarita, CA is developing the Bradley CPU solution covered by this agreement.
About Curtiss-Wright Corporation
Curtiss-Wright Corporation is an innovative engineering company that provides highly engineered, critical function products, systems and services in the areas of flow control, motion control and surface treatment technologies to the defense, energy and commercial/industrial markets. The legacy company of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, Curtiss-Wright has a long tradition of design and manufacturing innovation and prides itself on long-standing customer relationships. The company employs approximately 10,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.curtisswright.com.
About Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc.
Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, Curtiss-Wright Controls is the Controls segment of Curtiss-Wright Corporation and a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced technologies for niche actuation and drive applications, integrated sensors and electronic subsystems internationally for the aerospace and defense markets. For more information, visit www.cwcontrols.com.