Posted by Courtney E. Howard
OTTAWA, 25 Aug. 2010. General Dynamics Canada won an order to supply more than 1,000 Smart Display Units (SDU) for installation in U.S. Army Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. The order represents the first use of General Dynamics Canada’s technology on the MRAP platform, expanding the reach of the company’s suite of vetronics, or vehicle electronics, currently embedded in the U.S. armored vehicle fleet.
The MRAP vehicles’ command, control, communications, and computer, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities are being upgraded to support future growth and improve operational capability for the crews.
General Dynamics Canada will provide the SD7310, its latest-generation smart display designed specifically for on-the-move operation in armored fighting and tactical vehicles. The SD7310 integrates a 10.4-inch ruggedized computer and high-resolution, touch-screen display into a single device, eliminating the need for a separate and dedicated computer processing unit. It is designed to address the critical size, weight, and power, and cost (SWAP-C) requirements of space-constrained vehicle platforms.
“The migration to next-generation smart displays on combat vehicles provides warfighters with increased operational capability and improves their ability to communicate on the battlefield,” says David Ibbetson, general manager of General Dynamics Canada. “Establishing this footprint on MRAP is strategically important to General Dynamics Canada and the future of our vehicle electronics business.”
There are more than 16,000 MRAP vehicles in service with the U.S. Army. The current order reflects requirements of a first phase program in which 500 MRAP vehicles will be upgraded and each will be equipped with two SD7310 displays.
General Dynamics Canada received the order from WestWind Technologies Inc., which was awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract by the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (TACOM LCMC) to supply the C4ISR digital backbone B-Kits. TACOM is the acquisition and support center for all of the Army’s ground vehicles.
