WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., Feb. 13, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Navigation Systems Division has been selected by the Royal Thai air force to supply LTN-92 Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) for installation in its fleet of C-130 aircraft.
Military enhancements to the INS aid pilots who fly search-and-rescue, aerial tanker, maritime patrol, cargo and troop carrier, or photographic measurement missions. The INS enhancements include integrated search patterns, computed air release point (CARP) and tanker orbit rendezvous.
The integrated search patterns of the LTN-92 assist the pilot in maintaining a fixed orbit or to implement a search pattern. CARP reduces the complexity of airdrops from military aircraft by using the INS to determine when to release cargo or troops. Tanker orbit rendezvous assists pilots to transition from tanker refueling orbits to a flight path that simplifies aircraft refueling.
"Both military and civil aircraft customers achieve greater reliability and accuracy with the LTN-92 over earlier, lower reliability 'spinning wheel' inertial systems," said Jim Winchester, vice president of Northrop Grumman's commercial electronic systems business. "The LTN-92 fulfills current operational requirements and offers the means to meet future regulatory requirements."
The LTN-92 is an ARINC 561 strapdown INS with full ARINC 704 digital interface capability. ARINC publishes the international avionics standards for form, fit and function established by the Airlines Electronic Engineering Committee, an international standards organization.
An optional onboard worldwide navigation database, global navigation sensor systems interface capability and a 1553B data bus can be added to the LTN-92. More than 2,500 LTN-92s have been delivered.
All of the installations are scheduled for completion by the end of 2004. The terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Based in Woodland Hills, Northrop Grumman's Navigation Systems Division provides situational awareness for the defense and commercial markets. It offers integrated avionics, inertial navigation and guidance systems, satellite electronics, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, smart displays, fiber-optic sensors and systems, and logistic support products and services.
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