COMMERCIAL AMLCDs TO BE VALIDATED
FOR MILITARY
USE UNDER USDC R&D PROGRAM
Contract Award to General Dynamics
and Interface Displays and Controls, Inc. Would Expand Supply of
Ruggedized Military Displays
- Insertion of commercially produced, active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCDs) into military platforms would be expanded under an R&D program initiated by the U.S. Display Consortium (USDC) and undertaken by General Dynamics Canada (Ottawa, ON) and Interface Displays and Controls, Inc. (Oceanside, CA). The $795,000 cost-shared award is the first comprehensive test of reconfigured, commercial AMLCDs in military platforms. The USDC is a public/private partnership chartered with developing the flat panel display (FPD) industry supply chain.
Under the terms of the USDC contract, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) AMLCDs will be cut to obtain smaller sizes with different form factors. The concept of "cut COTS" offers the advantages of widely available technology and design flexibility, while reducing military dependency on sole suppliers of custom AMLCDs. No military service, however, will presently accept cut COTS displays, which provides the impetus for the USDC R&D project.
Electronic displays must function in a variety of rugged environments and military applications and provide the ultimate test of product reliability. General Dynamics Canada (GD Canada) will assemble and test cut COTS AMLCDs in a land-mobile military product, while Interface Displays and Controls, Inc. (Interface) will conduct a similar test in a military avionics platform. Among the issues to be addressed in the USDC-sponsored R&D project are developing a wide dimming range, long life and rugged backlight; developing the interface electronics; and implementing a sufficiently rugged level of packaging to withstand the military environment.
California Senator Barbara Boxer commented, "California has always been a leader when it comes to innovations in technology. I am very pleased that our state is playing a key role in developing the next generation of high performance display systems for our armed forces." "My congratulations go to Interface Displays and Controls on their having been selected for this contract by the U.S. Display Consortium," added Rep. Darrell Issa (CA-49). "Success in this development effort means a potential expansion in the supply of electronic display components resulting in improved war-fighter display technology, as well as cost savings through more competition."
The USDC program is a collaborative effort of private industry and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, located in Adelphi, MD. The results of this project will be shared with military display integrators within the consortium.
For more information, please contact:
US Display Consortium
Heidi Hoffman
84 W. Santa Clara Street, Ste. 790
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 993-8111
heidi@usdc.org
Phone: (613)596-7059
Email: suzanne.belanger@gdcanada.com
About the U.S. Display Consortium
The U.S. Display Consortium is an industry-led public/private partnership providing a common platform for flat panel display and flexible microelectronics manufacturers and developers, FPD users, and the supplier base. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., the consortium’s primary mission is to fund supply-chain projects and share the results with USDC member companies. The USDC also provides a communication channel among industry, government and the financial communities for display issues; sponsors workshops to broaden the impact of technological developments; and educates consumers on the importance of displays in providing access to information technology. More information about the USDC can be found at www.usdc.org
General Dynamics Canada Ltd. is a pioneer in the development of flat panel displays for combat platforms and is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics Corporation and part of General Dynamics C4 Systems
Interface Displays and Controls, Inc. is an ISO9001: 2000 and AS9100 certified engineering and manufacturing company specializing in customized display products for a variety of avionic man/machine interface applications. The company is a small, woman-owned business located in Oceanside, CA . More information can be found at www.interfacedisplays.com
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