Vdot Systems Delivers Rugged Multifunction Displays for AERO Vodochody L-159 ALCAJune 30, 2011
Vdot Systems, Inc., an avionics manufacturer, avionics system integrator, embedded software developer, and flight simulation provider, announces the successful first delivery of its rugged multifunction display (MFD) to AERO Vodochody for use on the Czech L-159 Advanced Light Combat Aircraft (ALCA). The new L-159 MFDs accommodate several urgently needed NATO capabilities, provide increased capability for future upgrades, and maintain backward compatibility relative to the legacy MFDs that are being removed from the aircraft.As the avionics system integrator for the L-159 ALCA, Vdot Systems applied its standard process for low-risk, rapid development including: 1) construction of several hardware emulators composed of real subsystem modules to serve as rapid-prototyping platforms, 2) development of embedded software on the emulators, and 3) integration of the emulators with real avionics flight hardware in the system integration laboratory (SIL) to verify subsystem capabilities, interfaces, and overall system-level functionality.
Within three months after the MFD emulator was proven in the SIL, Vdot Systems delivered flight-qualified MFDs to AERO Vodochody for ground and flight testing. During this three-month period, Vdot Systems completed the final packaging design, manufactured and environmentally qualified the MFDs for flight, and flight-qualified the embedded software.
James Lawson, president of Vdot Systems, said, "Our customer was very pleased that we were able to field the flight-qualified MFDs in just a few months. They plugged the MFDs into the original aircraft connectors and they functioned just like the legacy MFDs, but with 100% more glass area, a new digital map, and the much-needed new NATO capabilities. It was a minimum-impact cockpit upgrade that proved to be very cost-effective for them."
The MFD is configured as a "smart" subsystem that provides real-time embedded computing, graphics rendering, operator controls, and high resolution display for rugged military applications. It includes an Intel® dual-core processor, an ATI graphics processor with external video inputs, a mass memory module with separate write-protected and Mil-erasable solid state drives, a configurable I/O module, and a full set of drivers compatible with Wind River's VxWorks real-time operating system.
About AERO Vodochody's L-159
The L-159 ALCA is a light, highly-reliable, multipurpose single-seat subsonic combat aircraft produced by Czech manufacturer AERO Vodochody. The L-159 is designed primarily for close air support, reconnaissance and air combat missions. A double-seat version is available for flight training. For more information about AERO Vodochody, please visit www.aero.cz/en.
About Vdot Systems
Vdot Systems is a small business located in Cypress, CA that specializes in aerospace defense avionics solutions and flight simulators for domestic and international customers. Vdot Systems' quality management system is certified to ISO 9001:2008 and AS9100C. For more information about Vdot Systems, please visit www.vdotsys.com.