$60 Million Contract is Fourth Award in Two Years
Terma North America announced on 30 October that it has won a contract, valued at $60 million (€54 million) to supply a 3D-Audio and active noise reduction (ANR) systems for the A-10 WARTHOG fleet operated by the US Air National Guard (ANG), Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) and Air Combat Command (ACC).
The aircraft’s legacy audio management system will be replaced by the Terma Aircraft Audio Management System (AAMS), which includes 3D-Audio and noise reduction capabilities. Under this indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, Terma will engineer, integrate, produce, install and support the 3D-Audio capability. The contract also covers qualification, full and complete aircraft integration, installation drawing updates, Technical Order (TO) updates, repair support, spares, and support equipment. It will be performed at facilities in the USA and Denmark and is expected to be completed by 2024.
“The days of pilots having to use foam earplugs is over. Our 3D-Audio is another example of how Terma delivers NexGen today. 3D-Audio contributes to our enduring mission at Terma to help ensure pilots’ success and safe return. 3D-Audio is a major component of Terma’s enterprise solutions, which provide complete self-protection for aircraft and crew. Through innovation and timely performance, Terma is an industry leader that helps protect against ever increasing threats to US and allied aircraft,” commented Steve Williams, President and CEO, Terma North America.
This contract is the fourth within a two-year period and further solidifies Terma’s advanced AAMS as the preferred audio-based communication and situational awareness solution globally. In December 2017, Belgian Defence and the Royal Netherlands Air Force signed similar contracts with Terma for AAMS, which also includes 3D-Audio and noise reduction capabilities. In February 2018the US ANG/AFRC awarded Terma North America a $44.3 IDIQ contract for a 3D-Audio system for the F-16.
The 3D-Audio/ANR system was initially fielded in 2009 on Royal Danish Air Force F-16s and has been combat-proven. The system provides enhancement of the pilot’s situational awareness, survivability and reduction in workload by presenting audio warnings/cues and radio messages in a full 360° spherical representation. This capability enables the pilot to receive dynamically updated warning tones/cues in the true direction of the threat and spatially separates radio communication for increased speech intelligibility. The system also provides ANR and Electrical Noise Reduction (ENR) for reduced pilot stress and fatigue.
