24 Jan 2008 | Ref. 025/2008
MANASSAS, Virginia — BAE Systems has signed an agreement with Actel Corporation to produce a radiation-hardened field-programmable gate array (FPGA) semiconductor for space use. Development of the new semiconductor will address major obsolescence problems for a variety of legacy satellite programs. The FPGA will enable producers of satellite payloads and instruments to avoid time-consuming and costly redesigns and allow satellite programs to remain on schedule.
“Obsolescence is a fundamental problem in many civil, commercial, and military satellite programs,” said Tim Scott, national sales manager of space components for BAE Systems. “By producing these form-fit-function replacement FPGAs, BAE Systems already has saved the government millions of dollars that would have been needed to redesign and requalify alternative parts.”
BAE Systems will develop, manufacture, and sell the RH1020B FPGA under a license agreement with Actel Corp. The agreement marks the second time in less than a year that BAE Systems has introduced a product to replace discontinued FPGA components.
Flight units will be delivered in the first quarter of 2009. Work on the new components will take place at BAE Systems’ Manassas facility.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier global defense and aerospace company, delivering a full range of products and services for air, land, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions, and customer support services. With 96,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded $27 billion in 2006*.
*On a pro forma basis, assuming BAE Systems had owned Armor Holdings Inc for the whole of 2006
For further information, please contact:
Karen Spiller, BAE Systems
Tel: +1 603 885 2818 Mobile: +1 603 566 2090
karen.spiller@baesystems.com
Susan Lenover, BAE Systems
Tel: +1 703 907 8259 Mobile: +1 703 850 1621
susan.lenover@baesystems.com
www.baesystems.com
