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WOODINVILLE, Wash., Sept. 7, 2004. Seaweed Systems, Inc. (Seaweed), a leading developer and supplier of OpenGL and X Window System embedded graphics solutions, today announced the award of a major contract by Smiths Aerospace, Grand Rapids, Mich. (Smiths).
The contract calls for Seaweed to deliver to Smiths its DO-178B Level A certifiable embedded graphics driver product (Seawind/178-3D). This product is based upon a certifiable subset of the OpenGL API. The SeaWind/178B-3D product and all of the DO-178B certification artifacts (CertKit) will be delivered by Seaweed to Smiths for use on the recently-awarded Avionics Modernization Program for the C-130 aircraft (C-130AMP). Boeing is the prime contractor for C-130 AMP.
This element of the C-130AMP program was awarded to Smiths by Boeing in November, 2003 and will see the modernization of much of the C-130's existing avionics suite. Smiths will be using an open systems approach for this program. Their graphics applications will be running on top of Seaweed's SeaWind/178-3D, tailored for Smiths' two different hardware platforms. Smiths will be using one graphics platform based upon 3Dlabs' P9 Visual Processor Unit (VPU) and one based upon 3Dlabs' P10 VPU. In both cases the VPU parts will be provided and supported by Seaweed directly under their embedded market Distribution Agreement with 3Dlabs.
The common software architecture specified for the C-130AMP program is aimed at improving interoperability and supportability across multiple sub-systems and hardware variants. This common architecture will use Wind River Systems' (Wind River) VxWorks AE-653 Real Time Operating System (RTOS). The graphics sub-systems will make use of Seaweed's SeaWind/178-3D graphics driver ported to run under VxWorks AE653. Seaweed is one of Wind River's key partners in the aerospace and defense market. The two companies have already cooperated for several years to satisfy the graphics needs of their joint customers.
"This was an intensely fought competition. Selection of the optimum embedded graphics solution was difficult for Smiths, so we are delighted to have won. The C-130AMP will be the first time Seaweed delivers its SeaWind/178-3D product for VxWorks AE653. We look forward to completing the effort in conjunction, once again, with our partners at Wind River," said Robert Schulman, president of Seaweed Systems.
"Cooperation at both business and working levels between Wind River and Seaweed ensures the best possible end result for our customers with the least possible risk. This was obviously a key factor in our selection by Smiths. We look forward to vindicating their choice and establishing an enduring, long-term working relationship with them on this and other programs."
"We are pleased to work with Seaweed in delivering a certifiable Open GL solution for C-130AMP that supports the Wind River Platform for Safety Critical Systems -- ARINC 653. This solution brings the best tools, operating system, and graphics solution to the market for DO-178B safety certifiable systems," said Steve Blackman, Wind River's Senior Director of Business Development, Aerospace and Defense. "Seaweed and Wind River have a long history of working together to deliver solutions to our customers. We are confident this Open GL product from Seaweed will be a leading solution for the safety critical marketplace."
"The strengths that these partners bring to the program will help to guarantee its success," commented Dale Masbruch, senior program director, C-130AMP. "We expect the C-130AMP to carry some of the most advanced avionics systems and our suppliers play a key role in delivering best value to our customers."
Seaweed Systems provides software products and consulting services in the embedded X Window System and OpenGL markets. Seaweed Systems' customers, which include Boeing, Lockheed Martin, BAE SYSTEMS, EADS, Smiths Aerospace, Elbit Systems, General Dynamics, Rockwell Collins, Honeywell, L-3, NASA, Northrop Grumman, Radstone Technology, Raytheon, Synergy Microsystems, DRS Technology, Ball Aerospace and IS&S, benefit from Seaweed's unmatched price, performance, feature set and implementation schedules in the real-time embedded space. They also benefit from the strong working relationships established between Seaweed Systems and other leading COTS suppliers in this arena such as 3Dlabs, Wind River Systems and Radstone Technology. These relationships ensure that customers are provided with the most complete and advanced product solution possible for both certifiable and non-certifiable developments. For more information, see www.seaweed.com.
Wind River is the market leader in device software optimization. Wind River enables companies to develop and run software faster, better, less expensively and more reliably. Wind River Platforms tightly integrate a rich set of market-leading operating systems, development tools and middleware with services to provide a complete foundation that meets the specific requirements of a vertical market. Wind River's products and professional services are used in multiple markets including aerospace and defense, automotive, digital consumer, industrial, and network infrastructure. Companies from around the world turn to Wind River to create the most reliable products and to accelerate their time to market. Founded in 1981, Wind River is headquartered in Alameda, Calif., with operations worldwide. For more information, see www.windriver.com.
Smiths Aerospace is a leading transatlantic aerospace equipment company, with more than 9,000 staff and $1.6 billion revenue split between Europe and North America. Smiths Aerospace holds key positions in the supply chains on all major military and civil aircraft and engine manufactures supplying integrated solutions. Strategically organized businesses focus on systems in electronics and mechanical systems, engine components and customer services.
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