Rohde & Schwarz to provide radiocommunications to Slovak Vipers
The Slovak Air Force has become the next customers to receive F-16 aircraft equipped with Rohde & Schwarz secure communications. (Image: Lockheed Martin)
Rohde & Schwarz has been selected to provide radiocommunications for the Slovak Air Force F-16 Block 70 aircraft.
The delivery will occur as part of the collaboration between Rohde & Schwarz and Lockheed Martin.
The Slovak Air Force will receive 14 F-16 Block 70 Viper aircraft in the mid-2020s.
This delivery is part of the larger $1.8 billion contract to acquire two single-seat and 12 two-seat F-16V Block 70/72 aircraft to replace Slovakia’s fleet of 12 MiG-29s.
Slovakia will also procure an R&S URTS universal radio test set to increase support and service for air force capabilities.
Rohde & Schwarz will provide the AN/ARC-238 software-defined radio to the Viper aircraft.
The AN/ARC-238 system consists of two transceivers: a remote-controlled transceiver installed in the avionic bay and a transceiver in the cockpit, accessible by a local control panel.
Both transceivers cover the frequency range from 30MHz to 400MHz and support the NATO frequency hopping algorithms (TRANSEC) HAVE QUICK II and SATURN.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, Viper aircraft feature advanced avionics; an APG-83 AESA radar; an Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System; a centre pedestal display providing tactical imagery to pilots; and an extended structural service life of 12,000h.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
Ukraine and Sweden mark first major step towards potential Gripen E export deal
The letter of intent, signed on 22 October, is the first move in a “long road” towards Sweden strengthening the Ukrainian Air Force with up to 150 Gripen aircraft.
-
Shield AI unveils new autonomous VTOL fighter jet concept
Named X-Bat, the AI-controlled vertical take-off and landing drone is expected to enter production by 2029, with first flight tests estimated to take place a year earlier.
-
How satcom is shaping the future of fast, accurate warfare (podcast)
"Speed is the key advantage and accuracy is the key outcome": Amazon Kuiper Government Solutions’ Rick Freeman talks to Shephard’s Georgia Lewis about how space-as-a-service is transforming defence connectivity and access to satellite capabilities.
-
US Army order for CH-47F Block II aircraft takes total contracted to 18 in rapid fielding effort
Boeing has delivered six Chinook CH-47F Block II production helicopters to the US Army, with the helicopters now undergoing a series of evaluations to demonstrate their enhanced capabilities. The company is working with the army on a path forward for Lot 6.