SYSTEMS

Mercury Computer Systems announced today it shipped RACE++ Series conduction-cooled multicomputer systems to Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems Sector of Baltimore, Maryland for the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems onboard the F/A-22 Raptor fighter. SAR systems create images of the ground from aerial or space-borne platforms. Unlike traditional optical or infrared (IR) imaging, accurate images can be created by SAR systems at night and in poor weather and visibility. Mercury's embedded multicomputers process the vast amounts of image data retrieved from the sophisticated SAR technology and turn it into actionable information that can be accessed in real time by networked soldiers and military personnel around the globe. U.S. and Allied aircraft across all service branches are currently being upgraded to include SAR technology. "We are pleased to expand our relationship with Northrop Grumman and look forward to being an important part of the SAR technology for the F/A-22 tactical fighter program," said Barry Isenstein, vice president and general manager, Defense Electronics Group, Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. "As SAR grows in importance for the success of airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), we are proud to assist Northrop Grumman by providing faster development times, unmatched performance, and use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies." The F/A-22 Raptor, scheduled to become operational in 2005, has unprecedented fighter and attack capabilities with its balanced design of stealth, super-cruise speed and extreme agility, along with advanced integrated avionics and a pilot-friendly cockpit. The F/A-22 Raptor is built by Lockheed Martin in partnership with Boeing. The origin of the F/A-22 Raptor can be traced to the early 1970s, when the U.S. Air Force began studying concepts for replacement of its F-15 air superiority fighter, as new air and ground threats were looming that the F-15 would not be able to counter. This became a formal program when the service requested proposals for an Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) in October 1985.