Lockheed Martin, Universal Synaptics Corporation Partnering To Solve DoD Intermittent Anomalies

Lockheed Martin Senior Program Manager Liston Cribb (right) signs the Intermittent Fault Detection technology agreement with Universal Synaptics Corporation President and CEO Ken Anderson.

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 17, 2018 – Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Universal Synaptics Corporation signed an agreement to help the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) tackle an issue known as intermittent fault anomaly. A new automated testing technology, developed by Universal Synaptics, called Intermittent Fault Detection discovers random fault anomalies in multi-domain platform electronics as well as wiring harnesses. This issue currently drives an estimated $2 billion in annual DoD maintenance costs.

This system increases platform mission capable rates by eliminating unnecessary follow-on maintenance and proactively addressing emerging issues. This new capability isolates each intermittent fault and provides easy-to-follow maintenance actions for the maintainer to return the unit back into service. 

In addition to mission capable improvements, eliminating intermittent failures will dramatically reduce sustainment costs by keeping platforms operating and decreasing repairs and supply support.

“This new capability is groundbreaking, and we’re tremendously excited to help the DoD address a challenge costing them billions,” said Laura Frank, vice president of Lockheed Martin Enterprise Sustainment Solutions. “Resolving intermittence in electronics is a discriminator for the DoD in achieving an 80-percent Mission Capable rate across platforms.”

Together, the team will identify solutions for the DoD with the Intermittent Fault Detection & Isolation System 2.0™ (IFDIS2™), the Voyager Intermittent Fault Detector™ (VIFD™) and the associated Interface and Application (IA) solutions. This next-generation, integrated system is used to detect intermittent faults in nearly any piece of electronic equipment or wiring on any platform including F-22, F-16, F-35, F/A-18, rotary platforms such as the UH-60 as well as land and sea platforms.

“This partnership aligns our collective goals of reducing No Fault Found and increasing warfighter readiness by eradicating intermittent faults,” said Ken Anderson, Universal Synaptics Corporation President and CEO. “Together we will define a new era of advanced test capabilities and reset test equipment performance expectations for the DoD Maintenance Enterprise.”

Lockheed Martin's Legion Pod Receives Development And Production Contracts

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) secured two contracts from the F-15 prime contractor, Boeing, for the integration and production of Legion Pod®. These include a 28-month Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract and a Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract to produce 19 systems.

Under the EMD contract, Lockheed Martin will integrate, test and qualify Legion Pod for the U.S. Air Force's F-15C fleet. The first EMD units will be available in early 2019.

The first production and spares deliveries will begin in 2020 supporting the U.S. Air Force's Initial Operational Capability and fielding.

"With a fully integrated Legion Pod on the F-15 Eagle, the U.S. Air Force will have a revolutionary capability to counter the most potent threats," said Michael Williamson, vice president of Sensors & Global Sustainment at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "Concurrent integration and production is a testament to both Legion Pod's maturity and proven advanced capability that is urgently needed in the field."

In 2017, Legion Pod was selected as the Infrared Search and Track system for the U.S. Air Force's F-15C fleet. Transportable between platforms, future expansion plans for Legion Pod include the F-15E, F-16, as well as unmanned systems. Flexible by design and production-ready, Legion Pod is set to serve as the next sensor system of choice for fixed-wing aircraft.

Leonardo showcases training technologies and services at ITEC 2018

AW101 Unit Level Training Device

- Leonardo  is  showcasing  at  ITEC  2018  its  wide  range of  training  technologies  and services for  land,  naval  and air  systems. 

- Learn about  new  helicopter  training  courses  available and  experience Leonardo’s generic and  type  specific Virtual  Maintenance  Trainer  (VMT)  for  aircraft  avionic systems.  

- Leonardo’s  training  products and  capabilities  in  the  land  and naval  sectors  will  be  able  to be  viewed  and  experienced  by  visitors  using  a  virtual  immersive training  tool. 

- Telespazio VEGA  Deutschland  is demonstrating  its  latest  simulation-based  military training  systems  including  the  company’s  involvement  in  the  NH90  and  CH-53  helicopter programmes. 

Stuttgart,  15  May  2018  –  Visitors  to  ITEC  2018  in  Stuttgart,  Germany  will  be  able  to  learn  about Leonardo’s  latest  training  technologies  and  services  for  a  wide  range  of  land,  naval  and  air systems. Leonardo  will  be  showcasing  the  training  courses  and services available for  its  AW101  and AW159 helicopters.  This  includes  courses  delivered  at  its  UK  Training  Academy  in  Yeovil  which  is equipped  with  interactive  electronic  classrooms,  part  task  training  systems  and  practical  training devices.  Leonardo  also  delivers  extensive  training  services  to  the  UK  MoD  for  the  AW159  Wildcat helicopter  which  includes  the  use  of  full  flight  simulators  for  the  aircrew  and  full  scale  mechanical and  electronic/avionic  training  systems  for  the  technicians. For  the  AW101  Leonardo  has  recently established a  new  training  centre in  Norway  with a  full  flight  simulator. 

In 2018  Leonardo  is  launching  a new  set  of  training  courses  aimed  at  helping  its  military  customers maximise  the  capability  provided  by  their  helicopters.  Following  reviews  with  our  customers,  new courses  have  been  developed  specifically  for  managers  and  administrators  including  the  principles of  fleet  management,  flight  safety  officer,  human  factors,  effective  event  investigation,  effective event  review  group  and  documentation  management. 

On  the  Leonardo  stand  you  will  be  able  to  experience  our  generic  Virtual  Maintenance  Trainer (VMT),  discuss its  capabilities and how  Leonardo  can  meet  your  specific  training  requirements. 

The  complexity  of  modern  Gen3/Gen4  aircraft  means  that  1st  line  technicians  need  to  be  highly trained  and  competent  to  operate  these  aircraft  systems  to  determine  and  maintain  their serviceability.  Leonardo’s  synthetic  VMT  solutions  deliver  high  quality  training  with  major  costs savings  over  traditional  training  methods.  

The  VMT  uses  synthetically  modelled  avionics  equipment,  not  specific  to  any  particular  aircraft type,  to  train  technicians  from  school  leaver  level  up  to  avionics  mechanics  level  without  using  real aircraft  or  systems.  This  generic  training  is  applicable  to  fast  jet,  rotary  wing  and  multi-engine aircraft  and  is  in-use  with  the  UK’s  Royal  Air  Force.  Leonardo  also  provides  type  specific  avionic VMT  solutions  to  a number  of  F-16  customers  around the  world. 

Leonardo’s  training  products  and  capabilities  in  the  land  and  naval  sectors  will  be  able  to  be viewed  and experienced  by  visitors  using  the  virtual  immersive training  tool,  Morpheus,  through the catalogue  tool  and  various  gaming  scenarios.  One  example  is  a  VR  simulator  to  conduct  O  &  Ilevel  training  &  qualification  for  a  76mm  naval  gun,  although  the  technology  can  be  applied  to  all types  of  equipment. 

Leonardo  will  also  be  presenting  a  paper:  ‘eXtended  Reality  applied  to  the  design  of  integrated naval  multi-sensor  suite’  at  the  ITEC  2018  Advanced  Engineering  Conference  on  15th  May  2018  at 14.00. 

Telespazio  VEGA  Deutschland,  a  subsidiary  of  Telespazio,  a  joint  venture  between  Leonardo (67%)  and  Thales  (33%),  is  exhibiting  on  the  Leonardo  stand  its  latest  simulation-based  military training  systems  including  the  company’s  involvement  in  the  NH90  and  CH-53  helicopter programmes. 

For  the  NH90  product  line,  Telespazio  VEGA  Deutschland  is  showing  its  Virtual  Maintenance Trainer  developed  for  four  European  Nations  and  currently  in  use  for  five  helicopter  variants;  as well  as the  Aircraft  Systems  Trainer  developed  for  the  Australian  variant  of  the  helicopter,  MRH90. 

Telespazio  VEGA  Deutschland  will  also  show  its  CH-53  Cockpit  Procedure  Trainer  (CPT)  which supports  all  version  and  variants  of  the  CH-53  family  used  by  the  German  Bundeswehr.  The company  had  previously  developed  the  CPT  for  the  GA  version  and  was  commissioned  in  2017  to develop  the  CPT  for  the  GS/GE  modernised  versions of  the  CH-53. 

Visitors  to  ITEC  are  invited  to  visit  Leonardo’s  stand  to  see  the  expanding  range  of  training systems  and  new  training  technologies  that  it  has  available,  ranging  from  training  aids  to  the delivery  of  complete  end-to-end  training  services for  land,  naval  and air  systems.