Flight-control computer for avionics in helicopters and UAVs introduced by Curtiss-Wright

Sept. 15, 2011
SANTA CLARITA, Calif., 15 Sept. 2011. Curtiss-Wright Controls Electronic Systems (CWCES) in Santa Clarita, Calif., is introducing the Versatile Flight Control Computer (VFCC) for high-performance and low-power conduction-cooled embedded processing in size-, weight-, power-, and cost (SWaP-C)-critical applications aboard military and commercial aircraft such as helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The VFCC is designed form demanding avionics applications such flight controls, vibration management, engine controls, mission computing, and actuator control, Curtiss-Wright officials say.

SANTA CLARITA, Calif., 15 Sept. 2011. Curtiss-Wright Controls Electronic Systems (CWCES) in Santa Clarita, Calif., is introducing the Versatile Flight Control Computer (VFCC) for high-performance and low-power conduction-cooled embedded computing in size-, weight-, power-, and cost (SWaP-C)-critical applications aboard military and commercial aircraft such as helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).The VFCC is designed form demanding avionics applications such flight controls, vibration management, engine controls, mission computing, and actuator control, Curtiss-Wright officials say.The VFCC provides dual 600 MHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor clusters, dual TMS320C64x+ digital signal processors (DSPs), and three Xilinx Spartan 6 field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) with one gigabyte of data to non-volatile memory.

The enclosed unit offers I/O support such as ARINC 825, RS-422/485, USB 2.0, ARINC 429 receive, ARINC 429 transmit, analog inputs with excitation outputs, synchronization discretes, discrete inputs/outputs, dedicated solenoid drivers and 10-milliamp servo valve drivers. The system also includes system level built-in-test (BIT), Curtiss-Wright officials say.

For more information contact Curtiss-Wright Controls Electronic Systems online at www.cwcelectronicsystems.com.

Related stories

-- Curtiss-Wright Flight Systems supplies transducers for military helicopter avionics;

-- Curtiss-Wright to boost expertise in avionics data acquisition with buy of ACRA Controls Ltd.; and

-- Rugged color avionics displays for airborne surveillance introduced by Curtiss-Wright.

About the Author

John Keller | Editor

John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Military Aerospace, create an account today!