cPCI system chosen for launch control

Radstone Embedded Computing has been selected to provide the processing subsystem which will control the NLOS-LS platform commissioned by the US Army.

GE Fanuc Embedded Systems today announced that its recent acquisition Radstone Embedded Computing has been selected by Lockheed Martin's Littoral Ships and Systems business to provide the processing subsystem which will control the non-line-of-sight launch system (NLOS-LS) platform commissioned by the US Army.

NLOS-LS has been selected to be part of "spinout one" within the US Department of Defense's Future Combat Systems (FCS) initiative.

Radstone has received an order worth in excess of US $1 million for initial development systems.

The GE Fanuc processing subsystem selected by Lockheed Martin comprises an adapted version of one of the company's standard rugged enclosures, together with a CompactPCI 6U CP1A single board computer fitted with an I/O daughter card PMC; a CPX24 rugged managed Gigabit Ethernet switch; and a Radstone MFIO (multifunction I/O) board.

"We have been working together with the US Army for some time to help them prove the NLOS-LS concept", said Peter Cavill of GE Fanuc Embedded Systems.

"We are pleased to support Lockheed Martin by providing a powerful, flexible off-the-shelf COTS solution that is not only highly cost-effective but that has reduced program risk and dramatically reduced development time, allowing the Army to carry out first demonstrations far earlier than would otherwise have been possible".

"NLOS-LS is a very high profile programme, and one which we're very proud to be part of".

NLOS-LS is being developed for the US Army by Netfires, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.

It uses a common vertical launch container launch unit (CLU) comprising 15 missile launch chambers.

It also has integrated command and control equipment to support the deployment of the Precision Attack Missile (PAM) The CLU is platform-independent and is transportable by truck, plane, helicopter or ship.

The CLU can be fired from a platform or the ground and can operate in an autonomous mode.

FCS is a networked "system of systems" that is being jointly developed across all the US military services.

It envisions 18 individual systems that are networked together enabling a soldier who is linked to these platforms and sensors to have access to data that will provide much improved situational awareness and ability to respond.

NLOS-LS is one of those 18 systems, and has been selected for accelerated development.

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