ADAPTING PROVEN SOLUTIONS TO SPEED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Mercury Systems engineers helped the U.S. Air Force avoid the traditionally costly
and multiyear development process by adapting an already proven solution to
create the scalable ACM9454V Communication Management Unit (CMU). These
adaptions, which were needed to accommodate the aircraft's installation and
mission requirements, included repositioning knob controls to the radio's left
side to match the F-16 flight deck configuration ergonomics and removing an
expandable memory card slot due to platform security requirements. Designed
as a drop-in replacement for the full-size legacy radio control head, the new
CMU also contained data ports and modular software that could be used for
future rapid insertion of additional technology and mission capabilities.
EASY-TO-USE, SOFTWARE-DEFINED COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT FOR
FUTURE SITUATIONS
The U.S. Air Force received an open architecture CMU solution that allowed
third-party developers to add new comms systems via software. This solution
would also reduce integration and obsolescence costs, eliminate the need to
remove control head hardware, and allow new systems to be added in weeks or
months, not years. The initial phase of the program proved that the new CMUs
provided the ability to access 16,000 channels and to control multiple radios,
transponders and tactical air navigation systems via an easily integrated,
consolidated control unit paired with an easy-to-use, operator-familiar user
interface. Additionally, by eliminating the need for dedicated control heads on
each radio, the ACM9454V brought significant space- and weight-saving benefits
to the F-16 platform. Now the CMU can access and manage multiple flight deck
comms systems from a single control head and additional radios, transponders,
and other radio features can be quickly added via a software update instead
of time-consuming integration efforts. After seeing these combined benefits,
the U.S. Air Force ultimately decided to outfit all its F-16s with the new CMUs.
The U.S. Air Force received a new communication solution
that could be updated in weeks instead of years.
ACM9454 COMMUNICATION
MANAGEMENT UNIT
▪ Control for multiple radios and data
communication feeds
▪ Flexible modular software for quick
integration of new capabilities
▪ Ideal for enabling multirole aircraft
fleets and simplifying logistics
▪ Drop-in replacement for full-size
ARC-210 control on the F-16
▪ Intuitive user interface on a 5"
1:1 aspect ratio display
▪ NVIS-B compatible and sunlight
readable
The Mercury Systems logo is a registered trademark of Mercury Systems, Inc. Other marks used herein may be trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective holders. Mercury products identified in this document conform with the specifications and standards described
herein. Conformance to any such standards is based solely on Mercury 's internal processes and methods. The information contained in this
document is subject to change at any time without notice.
© 2023 Mercury Systems, Inc. 8212.00E-0923-cs-Display_CMU_F16
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CASE STUDY
Mercury + U.S. Air Force
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