Elbit Systems of America to upgrade USAF WAC HUDs
Elbit Systems of America has been awarded a five-year, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to upgrade the US Air Force’s (USAF’s) Block 30 and Block 50 f-16 Wide Angle Conventional (WAC) Head Up Displays (HUDs). The company made the announcement in a company statement on 4 December 2011.
Under the contract, Elbit Systems of America will manufacture Reliability and Maintainability (R&M) Electronic Module Assemblies (EMA) for the WAC HUDs. The contract is worth a possible $38.5 to the company.
The Wide Angle Conventional Head-Up Display (WAC HUD) takes critical flight and mission data which is normally displayed inside the cockpit on an instrument panel and projects that information on a transparent surface directly in front of the pilot allowing for eyes out of the cockpit and improved situational awareness.
According to the company, Elbit Systems of America Services and Support Solutions developed the new electronic module design in conjunction with its affiliate, Elbit Systems Electro-Optics Elop Ltd. (Elop). The assemblies utilise legacy optics but replace the outmoded chassis, cathode ray tube (CRT) and associated drive control electronics with current technology. The new design reduces total part count, lowering power consumption and significantly improving meantime between failure (MTBF).
More from Defence Notes
-
![Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent]()
Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent
The initial document focused more on creating the right partnerships and inspiring investment in defence than on any details of how future UK Armed Forces would be armed.
-
![UK begins process on new industrial strategy]()
UK begins process on new industrial strategy
The first stage of developing a new UK Defence Industrial Strategy has highlighted failings in current structures with solutions expected to be proposed in next year’s full strategy.
-
![Romanians put pro-Russian candidate into presidential runoff even as the government spends west]()
Romanians put pro-Russian candidate into presidential runoff even as the government spends west
Romania joined NATO more than two decades ago and the country is vital to the alliance’s geographic reach and its ability to supply Ukraine with weapons.
-
![What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration]()
What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration
Although Trump’s geopolitics policy for Europe remains unclear, defence analysts from the US and Europe predict how his incoming administration would attempt to handle critical issues on the continent.
-
![RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific]()
RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October was the first by a Labour government in 14 years which has also launched a review into defence procurement programmes.
-
![Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard]()
Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard
The Australian government has placed a focus on Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) which has included the purchase of additional long-range rocket systems and investments in local production of missiles.
