Jane Edwards
General Dynamics Mission Systems has completed the third software update to mission computers in AV-8B Harrier II ground-attack aircraft for the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command.
The software upgrade is based on the Future Airborne Capability Environment Technical Standard, which aims to improve software interoperability and portability and lessen lifecycle costs across the Pentagon’s aviation platforms, General Dynamics said Tuesday.
“This is the first military aircraft computer to have the NAVAIR advanced computing environment,” said Carlo Zaffanella, vice president of maritime and strategic systems for General Dynamics Mission Systems.
“The goal of this capability will be for technical professionals working on the AV-8B Harrier to swap applications in a way that’s similar to changing and upgrading applications on a smartphone.”
General Dynamics will also perform tests on mission computers’ processor and software under a $6.1 million contract awarded by the U.S. Navy in 2013.
