Northrop gear chosen for H-1 upgrade

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WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Northrop Grumman says its Gen II mission computers will be fitted on upgraded U.S. Marine Corps light attack helicopters.

The contract is a firm-fixed-price award from the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command, with unit deliveries to be completed by January 2015.

"The high-performance mission computers have proven their reliability and superior value supporting ongoing missions such as Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan," said Ike Song, vice president of Northrop Grumman's Situational Awareness Systems business unit. "They offer advanced computing and video processing capabilities to help ensure pilot safety."

Under the H-1 upgrade program, aging AH-1W and UH-1N helicopters will be replaced with upgraded UH-1Y and AH-1Z aircraft. The upgraded helicopters feature improvements in parts/systems commonality, reliability and maintainability.

Northrop said its dual mission computers provide centralized control of the aircraft cockpit's integrated avionics system. They are also modular and can thus accommodate inclusion of new technologies.