Turret Aiming and Stabilization Supplier Enhances Production Capabilities to Support Ramp-up in Ship Sets

DSEI 2017, LONDON, UK (Stand #S9-440) – September 12, 2017 – Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions division today announced that its Defense Solutions’ Drive Technology business unit, located in Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland, has completed significant enhancements to its production facilities in support of demand for its industry-leading Turret Drive Servo System (TDSS) technology. The innovative, upgradeable TDSS turret aiming and stabilization drive system uniquely delivers scalable functionality and power adaptability to ground vehicle designers and turret manufacturers. Significant investments were made in the Drive Technology business unit’s production line, engineering, and development test tools. These include new testing equipment at the facility, such as state-of-the-art automated test benches and upgrades to the plant’s coating line.

The Drive Technology business, which primarily supports the military ground vehicle market with system level solutions for Turret and Weapon System Motion Control, TDSS, Ammunition Handling Systems, Missile Launcher Motion Control, and Remote Weapon Station Components, is currently producing and delivering TDSS solutions for four major and several smaller programs around the globe.

Accordingly, the business has ramped up its production capacity and put in place state-of-the-art LEAN manufacturing principles to improve control over development activities and reduce overall development time. The result is improved operations, including the modification and modernization of manufacturing to handle the ramp-up in ship sets.

LEAN practices have been applied across the entire business, including Engineering and Administrative functions. One result of this initiative was the development of a cost-reducing kitting concept with suppliers worldwide. The kitting initiative enables vendors to provide worldwide support for local in-sourcing requirements in countries where it is required.

“Curtiss-Wright is committed to maintaining our Drive Technology businesses world-wide reputation for the highest quality Swiss engineering in support of demanding ground vehicle turret aiming and stabilization programs,” said Lynn Bamford, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Defense Solutions division. “To ensure that we continue to meet and exceed our turret drive stabilization system customers’ expectations for on-time delivery and the highest possible manufacturing quality, we are proud to announce recent enhancements and significant investments in our production and development capabilities, ensuring that Drive Technology maintains its long-held leadership position around the world as the most advanced supplier for decades to come.”

About Drive Technology’s TDSS Technology:

The TDSS enables system integrators to select the exact aiming and stabilization solution that their platform requires - from a manually operated drive all the way up to a highly sophisticated, stabilized drive system – while streamlining enhancements and/or system modification for use on a different platform. The TDSS approach is significantly more cost-effective and flexible than traditional bespoke aiming and stabilization system alternatives. TDSS is designed to make it easy for system integrators to configure only the system that they require now, while adding increasing levels of stabilization as their mission evolves. TDSS system components can be easily adapted for use on different ground vehicle turrets to meet dynamic program requirements including performance and precision.

TDSS System Components and Configuration Levels:

TDSS Aiming and Stabilization Drive System components include Rotary Gear Drives, Linear Gear Drives, Motor Controllers, Gyroscopes, Hand Controllers and System Software. TDSS is available in three pre-defined configurations, or if preferred, as a uniquely configured custom solution:

Configuration 1: Mechanical - The basic configuration is a hand drive that can mechanically move the turret in elevation and azimuth
Configuration 2: Electrical - A servo drive provides basic electromechanical aiming of the turret and the gun, and a hand drive interface can be provided for backup. This system configuration includes rotary and/or linear drives, motor controllers and optionally hand controllers.
Configuration 3: Stabilized - This configuration adds gyroscopes for stabilized turret control to the capabilities included in Configuration 2.
Customized: Drive Technology can develop an individually tailor made solution based on the customer’s unique requirements.

Scalability Equals Flexibility:

Each TDSS configuration supports the option to incrementally add functionality via upgrades as the mission requirements change. For example, if Configuration 2 is installed, an upgrade to Configuration 3, a stabilized system, can be cost effectively achieved by adding gyroscope sensors, without needing to replace any of the existing hardware. When mission demands fall outside of the pre-defined configurations, a completely customized system that meets that mission’s unique requirements can be developed.

Typical TDSS High Performance specification:

Slow speed tracking < 0.3 mrad/s
Max. speed 1 rad/s
Acceleration 2 rad/s2
Stabilization quality 1 σ value 0.3 mrad
All typical electrical interfaces are available (e.g. RS-422, RS-485, CANBUS)

About Drive Technology:

Curtiss-Wright Drive Technology is focused on supplying complete solutions. As a Swiss company, quality, reliability, and environmental protection are the foundation of its business. High quality standards are met through use of sophisticated test equipment, centralized quality and lean management, compliance to RoHS and REACH and model based software development in accordance to EN 61508. Curtiss-Wright Drive Technology is certified according ISO 9001:2008.

Sales inquiries: Please forward all Sales and reader service inquiries to [email protected]

About Curtiss-Wright Corporation

Curtiss-Wright Corporation is a global innovative company that delivers highly engineered, critical function products and services to the commercial, industrial, defense and energy markets. Building on the heritage of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, Curtiss-Wright has a long tradition of providing reliable solutions through trusted customer relationships. The company employs approximately 8,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.curtisswright.com.

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