“Ruggedized” Sierra PRO™ Routing Switcher Central to Lockheed Martin’s
Naval Ship Console Program
GRASS VALLEY, CA – October 27, 2009 – Sierra Video, a leading provider of high-quality video and audio equipment for the government, production, and professional audio/video industries, today announced that it has shipped its 75th customized video routing switcher in Lockheed Martin’s ANUYQ-70 (Q-70) console program. The “ruggedized” wideband routing switcher was designed to withstand intense levels of shock.
Lockheed Martin’s Q-70 consoles are designed for surface ships and submarines, and a central goal of the program is to modernize as well as streamline combat networking systems. Q-70 consoles provide flexibility, adaptability, and cost-savings to the US Navy by incorporating open system architectures, commercial technology, planned technology refresh and cross-platform commonality.
Sierra Video’s Sierra PRO routing switcher was customized for the Q-70 program, providing a key Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) component to the console’s video, radar, and sensor data monitoring functions. According to Lockheed Martin, the use of COTS equipment, including the Sierra PRO routing switcher, in place of specialized hardware has saved the U.S. Navy more than $1.5 billion over 15 years.
The 2RU 16x16 RGB routing switcher was developed specifically for naval applications that experience high levels of shock. Custom features in the “ruggedized” Sierra PRO routing switcher include specialized insulation, card-retention components, and fixed fasteners. The initial requirement was that the routing switcher be able to withstand 20G of shock. According to Mike Morgan, Director of Government Accounts for Sierra Video, the routing switcher inadvertently exceeded expectations by a long shot: “The Sierra PRO unit was initially slated for testing at 20G, but was inadvertently tested at 100G, really putting it through the ringer. However, when the test team examined the unit every component remained perfectly intact – a real testament to this rugged design.”
Added Morgan, “We’re incredibly proud of this milestone: the 75th unit to be included in the Q-70 program. It is a sign of Sierra Video’s excellence in accommodating the most rigorous applications with creative, yet solidly reliable, custom products.”
More information about Sierra Video and its Sierra PRO routing switchers can be found at http://www.sierravideo.com.
About Sierra Video:
Sierra Video, a subsidiary of Kramer Electronics, is a leading provider of high quality video and audio equipment for the worldwide broadcast, post-production, presentation and professional video marketplaces. Sierra Video offers a broad range of switching systems and production products for both HD, digital and analog applications. Founded in 1984, the company is located in Grass Valley, California. For additional information on Sierra Video or their products, visit http://www.sierravideo.com or call (530)478-1000.
About Kramer Electronics:
Kramer Electronics, Ltd. is a leading manufacturer of high-quality analog and digital audio, video and computer signal management products for the ProAV, Presentation, Production, Broadcast, Home Theater and Security markets. Kramer has corporate sales and distribution offices in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Poland, Russia, Israel, India, China, Singapore, Japan, Korea and Australia.
