The FITS is a modern airborne tactical system for Maritime Patrol and Homeland Security applications that presents tactical and navigation information to operators in real time. The FITS integrates mission sensors, aircraft navigation and communication, and provides an intuitive human-machine interface to improve operational effectiveness.
The FITS is a proven system: The FITS has been in-flight since early 2001 on board a C-295 aircraft. It is in-service with the upgraded Spanish Air Force P-3 and the C-212 of the Mexican Navy. Other recent FITS contracts: CN-235 for the Spanish Maritime Safety Agency (Sasemar), CN-235 mission system upgrade for the Irish Air Corps, C-295 for the Portuguese Air Force. The CN-235’s for the U.S. Coast Guard will also benefit from FITS technology for integration of sensors and aircraft systems.
The FITS is a modular and flexible system able to perform a wide variety of missions: homeland defence, border protection and law enforcement (drug interdiction, immigration control), protection of natural resources (fisheries and EEZ control, maritime pollution prevention), search and rescue, maritime patrol (MP), anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare (ASW/ASuW).
Mission operators can exercise sensor control and other functionalities by means of multifunctional consoles (MFC), that are connected to central processors through a high-speed local area network: typically 6+ consoles for P-3 Orion, 4 consoles for C-295 ASW, 2 for CN-235 in coast-guard configuration and 1 for C-212 maritime surveillance.
The FITS provides a cost-effective system for the whole life cycle (typically decades) of a maritime patrol aircraft, by using ruggedised commercial hardware, standard interfaces and modular software designed to maximise modifiability and reusability.
The Spanish Air Force P-3B Operational Modernisation programme carried out by the Military Transport Aircraft Division has covered the installation of the new FITS tactical system, and state-of-the-art sensors (360 degrees search radar with automatic TWS and image mode, IFF interrogator, IR/EO turret, ESM, acoustic system, Link-11 Data Link) replacing legacy systems. Other activities included are the upgrade of communication and navigation systems and the supply of a new ground Mission Support Facility.
The Military Transport Aircraft Division has also been selected to upgrade the Brazilian Air Force P-3A (acquired from US Navy inventory) with the FITS tactical system, new sensors and avionics. These solutions are also considered for other P-3 upgrade programmes.
