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Boeing has awarded Harris Corporation with a contract to supply the mission management open systems processor for its MQ-25 unmanned aerial refuelling program.
The MQ-25 is the US Navy's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft, and is designed to provide a refuelling capability that is sorely required.
Harris' mission management processor is based on an advanced open systems architecture solution and commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology, and will manage sensor and communications functions on the MQ-25, "providing the onboard processing capacity necessary to support advanced computing needs".
Harris will also provide hardware and firmware in conjunction with Boeing's open systems architecture solution.
“Harris and Boeing have invested substantial R&D to develop affordable, high-performance solutions that allow for faster and easier upgrades,” said Ed Zoiss, president of electronic systems at Harris Corporation.
"This contract reaffirms Harris’ strategy to leverage open systems processors into new platforms.”
The contract aims to support Boeing’s engineering and manufacturing development program to provide four MQ-25 aircraft to the US Navy for Initial Operational Capability by 2024.
“The MQ-25 program is vital because it will help the US Navy extend the range of the carrier air wing, and Boeing and our industry team is all-in on delivering this capability,” said Dave Bujold, Boeing’s MQ-25 program manager.
“The work we’re doing is also foundational for the future of Boeing – where we’re building autonomous systems from seabed to space.”
Harris and Boeing have a long-standing partnership that spans four decades, supplying a wide range of military aircraft, munition, and satellite programs.
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