Air Force X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle employs UTC Aerospace Systems flight actuation system, part of command and data-handling subsystem

CHARLOTTE, N.C., 12 Dec. 2012. UTC Aerospace Systems developed and manufactured the space flight actuation system and remote interface unit supporting the latest X-37BOrbital Test Vehicle (OTV) flight.

The X-37B space vehicle, designed by Boeing in conjunction with the U.S. Air Force, is helping make access to space more routine, affordable, and responsive, recognizes a representative of UTC Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) in Charlotte, N.C.

UTC Aerospace Systems delivered the flight actuation system and part of the command and data-handling subsystem for the unmanned test platform.

The flight actuation system includes an electronic controller that rapidly and precisely positions the multiple flight control actuators and surfaces in response to commands from guidance and navigation computers. This system plays a key role in the autonomous landing phase of the flight, adds the representative.

"During the last landing, the avionics suite performed exceptionally well supporting the successful development and demonstration of this new vehicle," says Andreas Nonnenmacher, vice president of ISR Systems at UTC Aerospace Systems.

The UTC Aerospace System fourth-generation remote interface unit is central to the command and data-handling subsystem. The remote interface unit connects many of the unmanned space vehicle's sensors to the central computer and relays guidance instructions from the computer to various vehicle subsystems during the mission.

UTC Aerospace Systems designs, manufactures, and services integrated systems and components for the aerospace and defense industries.