Mercury Systems has received a $12.3-million contract from an undisclosed defense contractor to develop avionics technology for new US military aircraft.
Over the next three years, the company will design a Communication Management Unit (CMU) control head, a subsystem intended to integrate and oversee various cockpit communication systems planned for an upcoming fleet of aircraft.
The CMU is designed to replace multiple communication control heads with a single system that manages various cockpit functions.
“The Mercury Processing Platform offers unique technologies that enhance the pilot-machine interface to enable faster, better decisions,” said Tom Smelker, Mercury’s Senior VP of Processing Technologies.
“This award represents a new product from our Displays and Networking product line with a new customer and new end-user, indicating their confidence in our ability to develop and deliver a critical hardware element for this mission.”
Communication Management Unit
The CMU is software-defined and capable of consolidating up to eight radios along with tactical air navigation, transponders, and GPS equipment from different manufacturers.
The interface features backlit buttons, ergonomic knobs, and a high-resolution display compatible with night vision systems.
It allows pilots to select channels, adjust frequencies, and switch between radio systems, even in low visibility or turbulent conditions.
The unit features an open architecture, which allows new communication systems to be integrated through software updates rather than hardware replacement.
This approach shortens the time needed to introduce upgrades, extends hardware usability, lowers integration costs, and simplifies operator training.