August 23, 2021 | International, Aerospace
September 21, 2020 | International, Aerospace, C4ISR
Why Did Boeing Opt To Fully Redesign The KC-46 Remote Vision System?
Why did Boeing opt to fully redesign the vision system on the KC-46 instead of using the Royal Netherlands Air Force KDC-10's reliable and proven technology?
Aviation Week Pentagon Editor Lee Hudson answers:
The Netherlands' Organization for Applied Scientific Research, Physics and Electronics Laboratory designed the Tanker Remote Vision System in 2006 for the McDonnell Douglas KDC-10. It is used on two tankers that serve in both tanking and transporting missions. The technology supports inflight refueling operators by providing a picture of the air-to-air tanking process, even in bad visual conditions.
Boeing was unable to use the KDC-10 Tanker Remote Vision System (TRVS) because the technology does not meet U.S. Air Force requirements for the KC-46. The 1980s design does not support covert aerial refueling missions or operate in all lighting and background conditions. Boeing says that is why it opted to build a system featuring high-resolution cameras, display and processing capability.
Some critics believe the Air Force and Boeing would both be better off if the remote vision system outfitting the KC-46 adopted pieces of the TRVS, given the new aircraft has experienced years of delays and cost overruns. Boeing took a $551 million charge in the first quarter because of changes agreed to by both the company and the Air Force in April for the KC-46 Remote Vision System (RVS).
The redesign includes high-definition color cameras, updated displays and computing systems. The problem with the initial RVS design is what the Air Force called a “rubber sheet” effect that distorts the image on the visual display used by the boom operator during refueling.
To date, Boeing has taken more than $4 billion in charges for the problem-plagued tanker. This is roughly the same amount the company was willing to pay for Embraer's commercial aircraft division before it walked away from that deal.
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May 12, 2024 | International, Land
Italy mulls delivery of another SAMP/T system to Ukraine, says source
The battery Italy would send is based in Kuwait and is one of five now operated by Italy, after one was sent to Ukraine last year.
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April 14, 2020 | International, C4ISR
Comtech Telecommunications Corp. Receives $9.1 Million Order from U.S. Army for Mobile Satellite Equipment
Melville, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 2020--Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) announced today that its Mission-Critical Technologies group, which is part of Comtech's Government Solutions segment, received an order consisting of additional funding of $9.1 million (of which $7.7 million was in the third quarter), on the previously announced three-year $124.2 million contract to provide ongoing sustainment services for the AN/TSC-198A SNAP (Secret Internet Protocol Router (“SIPR”) and Non-classified Internet Protocol Router (“NIPR”) Access Point), and baseband equipment. SNAP terminals provide quick and mobile satellite communications capabilities to personnel in the field. The contract has been funded $87.0 million to date. “More than ever, it is important that our U.S. Army customer has access to reliable advanced communications equipment and we look forward to providing additional essential equipment and services under our contract in future periods,” said Fred Kornberg, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Comtech Telecommunications Corp. The Mission-Critical Technologies group is focused on ensuring its customers are able to successfully carry out their mission, whether that be communicating in an austere environment on land or at sea, launching or tracking a satellite, or protecting the cyber security posture of their network. Comtech Telecommunications Corp. designs, develops, produces and markets innovative products, systems and services for advanced communications solutions. The Company sells products to a diverse customer base in the global commercial and government communications markets. Certain information in this press release contains statements that are forward-looking in nature and involve certain significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from such forward-looking information. The Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings identify many such risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking information in this press release is qualified in its entirety by the risks and uncertainties described in such Securities and Exchange Commission filings. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200407005224/en/ Michael D. Porcelain, President and Chief Operating Officer 631-962-7000 info@comtechtel.com Source: Comtech Telecommunications Corp. View source version on Comtech Telecommunications Corp.: http://www.comtechtel.com/news-releases/news-release-details/comtech-telecommunications-corp-receives-91-million-order-us