ITT Exelis awarded contract for mission-critical F/A-18 electronics

CLIFTON, USA: ITT Exelis has received a $5.7 million multiyear award to produce 375 generator control modules for F/A-18 aircraft. Production will take place through January 2015.

F/A-18 aircraft carry two of the modules, each controlling one side of the aircraft’s power requirements. In case of a power failure to one module, the other can pick up the entire aircraft’s power load. The contract, awarded by GE Aviation, Dayton, Ohio, will be completed by the Exelis Electronic Systems operation in North Amityville, N.Y.

“This demanding application required us to design high power components to go in small spaces that wouldn’t overheat,” said Rich Sorelle, VP and GM of Exelis Electronic Systems’ integrated electronic warfare systems business. “Because of our success during design, development, and early production, we earned preferred supplier status with GE Aviation.”

Exelis uses innovative electronic packaging technologies that reduce the size and weight of the generator control modules. The company has produced more than 2,200 surface-mount, double-sided, constrained core technology assemblies to date; this award continues production.

ITT Exelis Electronic Systems division provides innovative integrated solutions for the global defense, intelligence, information assurance and commercial aerospace sectors. As a leader in electronic warfare and communications, we leverage our experience and innovation to ensure the success of our customers’ critical missions.

The technology leadership extends into the areas of airborne electronic attack, networked and satellite communications, counter-improvised explosive devices, airspace management, surveillance systems, airborne and shipboard radar, acoustic sensors, advanced composite structures and electronic weapons interfaces.