BAE Systems has recently achieved a successful flight test of its next-generation vehicle management computer on the F-35 Lightning II aircraft.
The new technology, designed to elevate the performance of all three F-35 variants, was trialled at both the Naval Air Station Patuxent and Edwards Air Force Base.
This upgrade in the BAE Systems’ Vehicle Management Computer (VMC) is poised to boost mission efficiency, safety, and the aircraft’s overall reliability, especially in challenging environments.
“This enhanced VMC not only addresses obsolescence but also is anticipated to augment the safety, maintainability, and accessibility of the aircraft, catering to the needs of the U.S. military and its global allies.”
Corin Beck, director of Military Aircraft Systems for Controls and Avionics Solutions at BAE Systems, expounded on the significance of this new advancement: “The VMC provides the high integrity processing required to implement the advanced control algorithms that enable this platform’s critical missions.” He added, “This upgrade leveraged BAE Systems’ technology roadmap to ensure the F-35 will advance its mission management and flight control capabilities today and into the future.”
A pivotal feature of this technology revamp is the inclusion of a quad-core advanced processor. This enhancement promises to not only augment aircraft capabilities but also ease pilot workload. It will introduce advanced mission features to the VMC like the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) and the Auto Ground Collision Avoidance System (AGCAS).
BAE Systems contributes the VMC, electronic warfare system, active inceptor control system, and aft fuselage for each F-35. These are manufactured across their facilities in the U.S., UK, and Australia.
Is’nt it extraordinary how deeply BAE is now embedded in the United States industrial/defence complex!
Yes, any European company would give their left leg to get BAE access to the DOD.
It’s just a pity BAE sold down some of its UK electronics and radar business to buy its US portfolio.
It’s going to be even more impressive soon being the sole builder of AUKUS SSN for Australia and UK + GCAP is bound to open all sorts of doors in far east.
The radar and electronics are still UK ring fenced.
So not the biggest deal as the IP is UK owned.
The worm may yet turn on that.
I am not sure any french company would like to be deeply involved with dod. It is a big constraint on sovereignty. Though I am happy for UK companies and the fact that they do good money in it.
For submarines, well played! Daniel Ocean would be proud. A bit sad for Australia who will pay 3 times more for submarines that will be delivered after the war.
After the war, am I missing something here? And 3 times more than what?
As for Bae and the US, really wasn’t much choice post the proposed DASA merger fail and the subsequent latter’s cosying up with the French. If there was any doubt to that, Brexit made Europe a near dead end for cooperation so its commitments and growth in the US inevitable. It’s also why it’s become by far the biggest European Defence business whereas if it had committed to Europe it would have been in serious decline or stagnation. Great for the Company but may well end badly for the UK in the end, especially if as it once proposed it moves head office to the US. That said its latest commitments do show continued interest in its UK businesses. Tempest I think was/is vItal in that regard I suspect and an avenue it would not have as a US company competing with the embedded suppliers. As things stand it can get a lot of the best of both Worlds as long as UK Govt commits to such projects.
Peak of tension is 2027 according to US admirals between Taïwan and China. Costs of submarines from attack class : 50 Bn€. Given some newspaper with a specific agenda 125bn€. It was arranged truth, but ok… Now 400 Bn€ for 8 submarines, according to Australian budget plans.
I don’t think we missed anything 😄 Some call that « protection » in US. This kind of business is « Funny », when it doesnt’ come at the detriment of the security of an allied neighbouring nation of France.
The sad thing is that Australian defense is weakened by these kind of actions. I don’t deny that providing a port for US submarines in Australia is a good thing, but now, Australia will only have Collins which are obsolete in the 30’s.
This is not a smart move. And we’ll see what the US fleet will do to replace them in the mission of blocking the straigth. I am quite certain that French submarine fleet will be called for rescue to plug in missing numbers.
After the F35, weakening airforce in USA and Europe, we would be pleased to see US military business interests come second after security interests. US is playing with it’s allied skin in these actions.
The Attack class couldn’t meet Australia’s needs. With China’s increased threats bullying etc the Navy wanted nuclear and so AUKUS was born. And yes the new subs will cost a lot more but they’re nukes so…..
Blocking straight does not need the same kind of speed than escorting aircraft carriers. Australia does not have aircraft carriers, but I don’t know everything Australia wants.
Range and rapid transit to from Australian bases to operating areas and longer time on station had a lot to do with it.
The American part of BAE is firewalled from the European leg and operates as if it’s wholly US owned.
Quite the opposite. The F-35 work is done in BAE facilities all around the world. There is some BAE work that is wholly inside the USA, but it’s mostly subsidiaries BAE has bought over the years. Nothing has moved there from the U.K.
It should also be noted that Australia considers BAE work done in AUS to be an industrial offset, even though it’s a UK company.
It’s unclear from this whether the upgrade is actually contracted for install into all F-35, or whether it’ll be offered to each nation to decide whether to fit it.
The RN has confirmed today that POW will deploy to the far east on CSG25 with 24 UK F35B’s at FOC and 14 Merlin helicopters. 4 of the Merlins will be in Crownsnest configuration. 🇬🇧👍
Don’t think anyone could criticise (reasonably) those numbers .
Yes. It will make for a very full looking flight deck.
I’d love to see POW with that UK airwing. If it was supplemented with 12 USMC F35Bs that would be a maximum warload and a hugely impressive carrier airwing. Still 24 UK F35Bs and 14 Merlin’s is awesome.
Brill. Awaits the moans.
Well I for one think it’s Terrible. I want 50 F35, 12 typhoons constantly over with the fleet using AAR, 30 merlins, 12 apaches, 24 wildcats and 300 hundred drones. Oh stick an extra 2000 sailors in hammocks aswell.
Hammocks! 😆
I literally read the comments to view your comments. This publication needs to hire you.
Evening Paul.
Well that’s very kind of you, thank you.
Just In.
Monday 18 September 2023 07:16, UK
“US military search for missing F-35 warplane after ‘mishap’The pilot safely ejected on Sunday afternoon but the whereabouts of the jet have been unknown. Authorities are searching an area around two lakes for the plane.”
LINK