Lockheed Martin Awards F-35 Contract - Analyst Blog
November 17 2011 - 4:15AM
Zacks
Vision Systems International (VSI), a joint venture between
Elbit Systems of America, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems
Ltd. (ESLT) and Rockwell Collins Inc.
(COL), has won a contract from the Aerospace division of defense
behemoth Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) to
enhance the helmet mounted display system (HMDS) on the F-35.
Comprising of two additional phases in the development, the
contract will enable VSI to improve the F-35 HMDS currently in
production for the 5th generation Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter
aircraft.
The VSI team is already in the process of mitigating display
jitter affecting the display symbology, enhance the helmet system's
night-vision performance capabilities, and incorporate the latest
digital imaging sensor capabilities into the HMDS to improve night
vision performance. The joint venture has been working on these
attributes since March 2011.
In the process, VSI has modified the current magnetic receiver
unit (MRU) contained in the pilot's HMDS to detect both seat and
aircraft vibration frequencies and filter them out in both the
hardware and software contained in the HMDS display processor. It
has already tested and proven the capabilities of the new MRU.
In an effort to enhance the night-vision performance
capabilities, VSI is incorporating new digital night-vision sensors
in both the fixed camera mounted in the cockpit and the helmet
camera with the pilot's helmet mounted display (HMD). The resulting
images will be sharper and more viewable at extremely low light
levels.
To date, VSI has produced more than 4,500 joint helmet mounted
cueing systems (JHMCS) for the F-15, F-16 and F/A-18 aircraft. VSI
is also currently under contract to deliver Night Vision Cueing and
Display Systems (NVCD) to the US Air Force and Navy, and the Fifth
Generation HMDS for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. It also produces
the Targo HMDs for multiple aviation platforms including fighters,
light attack, military airlift and trainers.
This contract award demonstrates the confidence Lockheed Martin
has in VSI to advance the fifth generation HMDS capabilities that
are integral to the success of the F-35 program. VSI expects to
deliver the enhanced HMDS beginning in the third quarter of
2013.
Based in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global
security company that is principally engaged in the research,
design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of
advanced technology systems, products and services. The company
presently retains a short-term Zacks #3 Rank (Hold) that
corresponds with our long-term Neutral recommendation on the
stock.
Rockwell Collins Inc. also retains a short-term Zacks #3 Rank
(Hold), which supports our long-term Neutral recommendation on the
stock.
ROCKWELL COLLIN (COL): Free Stock Analysis Report
ELBIT SYSTEMS (ESLT): Free Stock Analysis Report
LOCKHEED MARTIN (LMT): Free Stock Analysis Report
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