Lockheed Martin to upgrade eCASS test and measurement to troubleshoot electro-optical targeting systems
LAKEHURST, N.J. – U.S. Navy test and measurement experts needed the ability to test, diagnose, and repair electro-optical targeting systems on carrier-based helicopters and combat jets at shore bases and aboard surface warships. They found their solution from Lockheed Martin Corp.
Officials of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Lakehurst, N.J. announced a $21.4 million contract Wednesday to the Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems segment in Orlando, Fla., for the Electro-Optics fourth generation (EO4) console.
The EO4 electro-optical test console subsystem part of the electronic Consolidated Automated Support System family of automatic test systems, which is designed to help sailors and Marines troubleshoot and repair aircraft assemblies at sea or ashore and return the avionics to service quickly.
The EO4 subsystem of eCASS helps sailors and Marines test, diagnose and repair the Multispectral Targeting System aboard the Navy's SH-60 helicopter and Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared weapon system aboard the F/A-18E/F jet fighter-bomber.
The EO4 component of eCASS is to replace the system's legacy Electro-Optics third generation console configuration to mitigate obsolescence, decreased availability, and rising sustainment costs.
The eCASS test equipment is replacing the Navy's legacy CASS test equipment originally fielded in the early 1990s. CASS is the Navy’s standard automatic test equipment family supporting electronics on naval aircraft.
The first eCASS station went to the Navy in February 2014 to support all the aircraft in the Navy’s fleet, extending to new weapons systems such as the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter.
The eCASS station is the workhorse for avionics repair across the naval aviation enterprise, Lockheed Martin officials say. The test gear helps aircraft maintenance technicians return equipment to readiness status quickly and efficiently. Compatibility with legacy CASS stations preserves the Navy’s investment in more than 550 test program sets supporting 750 avionic components.
The EO4 contract covers the EO4 program life cycle with emphasis on engineering and manufacturing development (EMD), which includes building five engineering development models, spare parts, and calibration equipment, as well as integration support.
Lockheed Martin technicians will build and deliver EO4 consoles, eCASS interface cables, host eCASS augmentation assets, EO carts, and installation kits with mounting rails, shock isolators, and related components.
On this contract Lockheed Martin will do the work in Orlando, Fla., and should be finished by September 2023. For more information contact Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems online at www.lockheedmartin.com, or the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division-Lakehurst at https://www.navair.navy.mil/lakehurst/.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
