Leonardo Helicopters (formerly AugustaWestland/Finmeccanica) awarded General Dynamics [GD] a contract to update the Stores management Systems (SMS) on the United Kingdom Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters, GD said Tuesday.
The SMS update will introduce a new functionality to control two missile types, the MBDA Sea Venom and Thales Martlet. The missiles were previously known as the Future Air to Surface Guided Weapon (FASGW).
The contract calls for GD to complete several services including develop new safety-critical software to control the MIL-STD-1760 missile interfaces; implement plug and play software architecture to reduce the cost of integrating future weapons; introduce hardware design changes to the existing SMS design to support two more weapon stations on the Wildcat; and design and manufacture a handheld test set to allow the helicopter electrical interfaces to be rapidly tested in conjunction with the SMS Built-in-Test capability.
The contract also directs GD to re-test and certify the overall SMS functionality in accordance with U.K. safety standards DEF-STAN 0055/56 and to update the existing in-service SMS equipment to the ‘FASGW’ standard.
“This contract continues the successful long-term collaborative relationship between General Dynamics Mission Systems–UK and Leonardo Helicopters,” Steve Rowbotham, vice president of General Dynamics’s Mission Systems-UK subisidary, said in a statement.
“We have extensive experience in the delivery of cutting-edge electronic systems for fixed-wing and rotary craft, and recognised worldwide as a leader in installing the latest capability onboard in-service and future platforms,” he added.
GD plans to deliver the initial software releases in early 2017 for rig testing at the Leonardo Helicopters facility in Yeovil, England before flight testing begins later that year. Missile firing trials and full helicopter clearance testing will then continue through 2018 and 2019, the company said.