Unisys lands NASA flight simulation work

NASA scientists are developing the next generation of spaceflight aircraft not by launching test rockets, but through advanced computer simulation.

Unisys Corp. of Blue Bell, Pa., won a contract for simulation and flight IT services with NASA. The contract is for one year and valued at $8.5 million with four option years. If all options are exercised, the contract would be worth $49.2 million.

Unisys will support NASA's simulation-to-flight initiative, which designs and tests research concepts in a ground-based simulation facility. They are then validated through tests on aircraft with common research system elements. One important task under the contract is continued development of the Langley Standard Real-time Simulation in C.

Unisys also will provide software and hardware analysis, design, development, validation, operations, maintenance, modification and systems integration services for the NASA Langley Flight Simulation Facilities and Research Aircraft. The company has 47 employees supporting the contract at NASA's facility in Hampton, Va.

Unisys has about 36,000 employees and $5.8 billion in fiscal 2004 revenues. The company ranks No. 22 on Washington Technology's 2005 Top 100 list of federal prime contractors.