Elbit Systems To Upgrade Apache Block III Mission Processors

Elbit Systems of America, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Israel-based Elbit Systems Ltd., has been awarded a $17.5m contract by Boeing to redesign and upgrade the Apache Block III AH-64D Mission Processor. The Block III Mission Processor, originally designed and developed by Elbit Systems of America provides the aircraft with an open-system computing architecture that can easily integrate with current cutting edge and emerging next generation technologies. The new Mission Processor contains 48 processing cores and future growth to 80 cores for general purpose processing, four graphics processors, enhanced video processing and additional encoding/decoding capabilities. The Mission Processor will provide the Apache Block III avionics and mission equipment with the ability to perform sophisticated "networking" and on-board computing tasks and will allow the Apache Block III aircraft to more easily accommodate emerging capabilities. This new mission computer underwrites a set of established technical standards through a "system-of-systems" approach so that new systems, sensors, applications and electronics can be easily integrated. Elbit Systems of America President and CEO, Raanan Horowitz, said, "The Elbit Systems of America Mission Processor lies at the heart of the Apache Block III Attack Helicopter and provides Boeing and its US Army customer unparalleled computing power and capabilities. The refresh and upgrade program will ensure the Apache takes advantage of the latest processing technology available. We are pleased to be a part of this important program and look forward to working closely with both Boeing and the US Army to provide leading edge technologies to the warfighter".