General Dynamics Upgrades AV-8B Harrier II Jet MSCs

General Dynamics Mission Systems announced Tuesday that it has delivered software update to the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)’s AV-8B Harrier II Jet Mission System Computers.

The software release that uses Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE) Infrastructure and capability provides improved functionality for faster, less expensive integration of MSC applications.

The Future Airborne Capability Environment Technical Standard enhances software portability and interoperability across US Department of Defense airborne platforms.

The software upgrades are loaded into the mission system computer (MSC) in AV-8B Harrier II aircraft used by the US Marine Corps.

"This is the first military aircraft computer to have the NAVAIR advanced computing environment," said Carlo Zaffanella, vice president of Maritime and Strategic Systems for General Dynamics Mission Systems.

"The goal of this capability will be for technical professionals working on the AV-8B Harrier to swap applications in a way that's similar to changing and upgrading applications on a smartphone." he added.

General Dynamics will start testing additional processor and core software in AV-8B Harrier MSCs. The government will then test to ensure that the upgraded mission system computers support flight clearance and fleet introduction.

The FACE Technical Standard and business strategy strengthen the US military's ability to address software obsolescence and enhances software portability and interoperability across the various US Department of Defense airborne platforms. 

It is designed to reduce lifecycle costs, foster a competitive avionics marketplace and facilitate the adoption of new technologies supported by an open architecture environment.

General Dynamics received the contract to upgrade AV-8B Harrier's MSCs with the next-generation FACE Infrastructure and capability in 2013.