Barco wins significant contract from SaabTech for Nordic Standard Helicopter Program
KORTRIJK, BELGIUM, 27 November 2003 – Barco has been awarded a major contract by SaabTech AB, Järfälla, Sweden, for the delivery of MRFD251A Modular Rugged Flat Panel Displays, CCVMX video mixing boards and CCVX video extension boards within the framework of the Nordic Standard Helicopter Program (NSHP). Barco’s state-of-the-art visualization solutions will be integrated into the Mission Management Systems (MMS) of the Swedish Armed Forces’ NH90 helicopters.
The MRFD251A is the latest variant of Barco’s family of Modular Rugged Flat Panel Displays (MRFD). The MRFD family combines a Display Module (DM) with a Display Control Module (DCM) into a total, low-cost visualization solution for use in land-based, airborne, and naval C4i-SR applications.The new MRFD251A features a 20.1” AMLCD display with a resolution of 1280x1024, offering optimal visual performance and superior ruggedization for use in fixed and rotary wing applications. SaabTech opted for the MRFD251A because of its excellent optical performance and high-standing environmental qualifications thanks to its rugged, fully enclosed architecture and front bonded LCD panel. Furthermore, SaabTech valued the MRFD’s modular concept, ensuring a low-risk COTS management solution with special attention for obsolescence issues.
The MRFD251A will be driven by Barco’s CCVMX high-performance conduction-cooled video mixing board, providing exceptional flexibility and performance. The CCVMX will bring high-performance video mixing capability to the NH90’s Mission Management system. It will provide advanced digital mixing capabilities for computer generated graphical and alphanumeric information, scan converted raw radar information, TV-based information from the Electro Optical System, and high-resolution Sonar information including sonar waterfall images. The video windowing sub-system is perfectly suited for use in a Windows-environment. For the NSHP program, SaabTech also selected Barco’s optional CCVX video extender, allowing the insertion of additional external video, sonar or electro-optical sensor data. Both the CCVMX and CCVX are conduction-cooled VME boards that properly cool the units in environments where circuit cards are sealed in airtight enclosures.
All components will be incorporated into the operator consoles of the Swedish Armed Forces’ NH90 helicopters. These are twin-engine multi-role helicopters, developed by NH Industries, which can be deployed for a variety of naval and tactical transport operations. Thanks to their features and system integration, the NH90s are capable of operating successfully in any environment, day and night, under adverse weather conditions.
SaabTech will start receiving CCVMX and CCVX boards and MRFD251A units by the end of this year, with deliveries continuing until 2005.
About Barco
Barco, an international company headquartered in Kortrijk, Belgium, is active in three key areas of imaging technology. Barco designs and develops solutions for large screen visualization, display solutions for life-critical applications, and systems for visual inspection. Barco has a network of subsidiaries, distributors and agents in almost 100 countries. Barco is quoted on Brussels/Euronext and is a BEL 20 and a Next 150 company.
