UTC Aerospace Systems developed and manufactured the space flight actuation system and remote interface unit supporting the recent successful flight of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV). The X-37B is a new space vehicle designed by Boeing, in conjunction with the U.S. Air Force, to help make access to space more routine, affordable and responsive. UTC Aerospace Systems is a unit of United Technologies Corp. (UTX).
The X-37B OTV is an unmanned space vehicle used by the U.S. Air Force to research reusable space vehicle technologies. UTC Aerospace Systems delivered the flight actuation system and part of the command and data handling sub-system. The flight actuation system includes an electronic controller that rapidly and precisely positions the multiple flight control actuators and surfaces in response to commands from guidance and navigation computers. This system plays a key role in the autonomous landing phase of the flight.
The UTC Aerospace System fourth generation remote interface unit fitted to the orbital test vehicle is also central to the command and data handling sub-system. The remote interface unit connects many of the vehicle’s sensors to the central computer and relays guidance instructions from the computer to various vehicle sub-systems during the mission.
Andreas Nonnenmacher, vice president ISR Systems said, “During the last landing, the avionics suite performed exceptionally well supporting the successful development and demonstration of this new vehicle.”
The X-37B program transitioned to the U.S. Air Force after earlier funded research efforts by Boeing, NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
UTC Aerospace Systems designs, manufactures and services integrated systems and components for the aerospace and defense industries. UTC Aerospace Systems supports a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and customer service facilities.
United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries.
