We face multiple adversaries, each bringing tension and potential conflict to different parts of the globe. One way we maintain our advantage is through real-time intelligence and air battle management — the domain of Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) systems. These platforms, often called AWACS, provide critical tactical and strategic advantages to warfighters.
Technology advances through both new systems and upgrades, preserving the edge AWACS delivers. Cutting-edge sensors and communications matter, but so do advanced displays that present detailed, rapidly changing information to operators efficiently.
This article focuses on a family of full HD, rugged displays designed for AEW&C systems. The ARD21, ARD24, and ARD27 all offer large viewable areas and interface flexibility, with customizable options to meet your program’s specific requirements.
Challenges AEW&C designers face
While AEW&C sensors capture expanding data and communications connectivity grows, designers must still give on-platform personnel easily absorbed information and user-friendly workspaces. That requires displays with (1) large, high-resolution screens that present information from multiple subsystems simultaneously, (2) viewability under all ambient light conditions, and (3) ruggedization to withstand harsh environments during long missions with uncompromised reliability.
New displays must also (4) interface easily with both legacy and advanced subsystems. Traditional long-range radars on AEW&C platforms now operate alongside other sensors. Communication to command centers and deployed assets expands to bring in sensor data from other platforms using multiple information transfer techniques. Designers need flexible interface options that streamline data display from all sources.
Finally, displays (5) must meet airborne platform SWaP constraints. Size is often critical during system upgrades with rigid physical limits. Weight and power are parameters designers must fit into overall platform constraints — new displays should simplify meeting those constraints, not strain them.
Designed to meet today’s display challenges
The ARD2x family consists of 3 full HD rugged displays, each supporting a wide range of aircraft applications. Key characteristics include:
Large, full high definition display areas
- ARD21 resolution is 1600×1200 (form, fit, and function replacement of legacy 20-inch displays)
- ARD24 is configurable as 1920×1080 or 1920×1200
- ARD27 is configurable as Quad HD (2560×1440) or 4K (3840×2160)
Clear visuals in all environments, supported by:
- LED backlighting
- Anti-reflective coating
- Sunlight readability
- NVG compatibility
Straightforward display of data from multiple subsystems using flexible input configurations, including analog RGB, DVI, video, and other interfaces
Low SWaP — power consumption
- ARD21 — 65W at 400 nits
- ARD24 — 65W at 300 nits
- ARD27 — 75W at 300 nits
Low SWaP — weight
- ARD21 — 15.7 lbs.
- ARD24 — 17.0 lbs.
- ARD27 — 18.0 lbs.
Ruggedized for airborne applications to withstand extreme temperatures, shock, vibration, EMI/EMC, high altitude, high humidity, and salt fog/sand/dust
Front filter to protect personnel from impact-generated glass shards
Installation confidence from a fully enclosed unit with no holes or fans
This combination makes the ARD2x family an ideal fit for both AEW&C system upgrades and new designs.
Three decades of defense program experience
For 31 years, Argon has designed, produced, and supported rugged computing and display solutions for land-based, naval, and airborne applications. We provide both custom and COTS rugged solutions to the global military C5ISR market. With deep understanding of design requirements, Argon possesses the technical expertise to create long-term supportable designs. Our solutions derive from commercially available components, ruggedized to withstand severe environments.
While this article discusses the ARD2X display family’s optimization for aircraft programs, we also offer rugged displays ranging from 5 inches to 43 inches. There’s an Argon display to fit any platform — fighter aircraft to ground vehicles, helicopters to naval vessels.
A display tailored to your program
Our team works closely with your engineers to develop tailored display solutions that meet your program’s unique requirements. We take the time to fully understand each program’s goals and constraints, then configure solutions that meet or exceed specifications.
Argon products have ranged from specialized mounting hardware to non-native display resolutions. Other examples include touchscreen surfaces, user-defined bezel button configurations, USB connectors, and cold start heating.
Contact Argon to inquire about capabilities. We specialize in customizing products to achieve complete user success.