BAE Systems to provide radios for South Korean aircraft
BAE Systems’ AN/ARC-232A may be installed on South Korea’s KF-21 fighter aircraft. (Photo: ROKAF)
BAE Systems will provide ultra-high frequency AN/ARC-232A software defined radios for use in South Korean fixed-wing and rotary aircraft under a US$111 million contract.
The radios use the Second-generation, Anti-jam, Tactical, Ultra-high Frequency Radio for NATO (SATURN) waveform with the radios designed to be upgradeable, small and lightweight and have frequency hopping capability which makes jamming more difficult.
The radios will be produced at BAE Systems’ factory in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and the company will provide the AN/ARC-232A to South Korean manufacturer LIG Nex1 for final build, testing and aircraft integration.
The transceiver features ECCM capabilities that provide reliable voice and data communications. Notably, the AN/ARC-232A has Automatic Direction Finding (ATC) capability. The manufacturer noted that support for civilian communications standards could also be added depending on mission requirements.
Originally designed as an upgrade for the AN/ARC-164 and AN/ARC-232 radio systems, the new AN/ARC-232A maintains the same form-factor and control interfaces and can utilise the same ancillaries, such as external cryptographic devices and the legacy remote control units.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Digital Battlespace
-
Arctic broadband satellites launched for reliable military connectivity
The mission marks the first time an active US military payload has been delivered by commercial rocket.
-
The imperative for a vibrant UK space industry
Ahead of a new Shephard Technology Report to be published in September, senior executives from Lockheed Martin Space have underlined the importance of investing in defence space systems by countries like the UK.
-
Orbit to collaborate with ViaSat for the development of new satellite terminals
The agreement includes delivery of 30cm and 45cm airborne terminals for military and government use, utilising dual polarisation and supporting the entire 3.5GHz of Ka-band frequencies.
-
US Space Force to launch “hundreds of satellites” to better protect its assets from Russia and China
As part of the Evolved Strategic SATCOM programme, the service intends to operate a swarm of smaller, cheaper LEO satellites.
-
Viasat reveals new lightweight comms gateway in collaboration with USSOCOM
The Secure Wireless Hub (SWH) is a lightweight, wearable communications system.