Boeing

Boeing yesterday delivered the latest F-22 integrated avionics software package, Block 3.1, to team partner Lockheed Martin on schedule. Boeing is responsible for integrating, testing and delivering the F-22's advanced avionics.

The Block 3.1 software has increased radar, electronic warfare and communication, navigation and identification capability, as well as adds global positioning system capability to the F-22's integrated avionics.

Prior to delivery, the software was tested rigorously in both the company's Avionics Integration Lab and on its 757 Flying Test Bed.

"Block 3.1 supplies more than 90 percent of the total functionality planned for the F-22, and allows the flight-test program to accomplish its objectives," said Bob Barnes, Boeing vice president and F-22 program manager. "The team is very encouraged by the initial dynamic testing of Block 3.1 in our airborne and ground-based labs."

Both the avionics lab and flying test bed are helping reduce avionics risks and contain development costs by enabling extensive evaluation and troubleshooting before full avionics are installed on the F-22. To date, more than 98 percent of the avionics system anomalies have been found prior to delivery to the F-22 due to the team's extensive experience in large-scale integration, high-fidelity facilities, tools and processes.

The Block 3.1 package consists of avionics hardware and software produced by F-22 team members Lockheed Martin, Boeing and other key suppliers. The team has been testing the Raptor's avionics packages in Seattle at both the lab, since 1998, and on the flying test bed since March 1999.

The F-22's advanced avionics allow the pilot to operate in battle conditions without the burden of managing individual sensors, thereby dramatically improving situational awareness and improving the performance of the pilot and aircraft.

Boeing is teamed with Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney to design and build the F-22 Raptor for the U.S. Air Force. Boeing supplies the F-22's wings, aft fuselage, radar system, common power supplies, mission software, avionics integration and testing, as well as training and life-support systems.

A joint venture between Northrop Grumman and Raytheon, under contract to Boeing, is developing, testing and manufacturing the radar system.

02-05