Navy Upgrades Display Panels

DRS Technologies has received new orders to produce rugged flat panel displays for the upgrade of the FFG-7 Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates of the Australian Navy.

The contracts were awarded to DRS by ADI and Thomson Marconi Sonar in Rydalmere.

The company will provide 18.1-inch digital flat panel (DFP-181/R) displays, which will be incorporated in the company's shipboard display equipment (SDE)-21 vertical tactical workstations being built by ADI under licence and in new underwater acoustic warfare systems being integrated by Thomson Marconi Sonar.

The Navy is modernising its FFG-7 guided-missile frigates to increase their operational effectiveness against regional threats and ensure supportability.

The program includes upgrading the ship's command and control system, and installing a new sonar suite. FFG-7 frigates are primarily undersea warfare ships providing open-ocean escort of amphibious vessels and convoys in moderate threat environments.