Raytheon bags comms testing deal
Raytheon has been awarded a contract for the certification and testing of an upgrade to the AN/ARC-231 Multi-Mode Communications System by the US Army, the company announced on 12 August. The contract is valued at $36 million.
The system upgrade is designed to achieve maximum security for data and voice communication for over 7,000 fixed wing, rotary and unmanned army platforms such as Gray Eagles, Chinooks, Black Hawks and Apaches.
The army awarded the contract after receiving the last of 18 Engineering Development Models (EDM).
The AN/ARC-231 is a VHF/UHF multi-band tactical communications system capable of meeting emerging communications needs through software upgrades. It provides secure, internationally compatible and interoperable voice and data links, and is compatible with the emerging Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) waveform as well as legacy air-to-air and air-to-ground Line of Sight and SATCOM communication requirements.
Scott Whatmough, vice president, integrated communications systems, Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, said: ‘The completion of EDM deliveries and the start of certification testing mark significant milestones for the AN/ARC-231 upgrade programme.
‘These are critical steps in the process of ensuring army aviators have the secure communications capabilities they need to accomplish their missions in today's rapidly evolving threat environment.’
The AN/ARC-231 test will be conducted at the army’s Software Engineering Directorate laboratory in Huntsville, Alabama and the Raytheon's Fort Wayne facility in Indiana. It will receive a full cryptographic certification for the upgraded system after the tests are complete.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![Airbus launches final CSO observation satellite for French Armed Forces]()
Airbus launches final CSO observation satellite for French Armed Forces
Airbus was awarded the Composante Spatiale Optique (CSO) contract at the end of 2010. This included an option for a third satellite, which was activated after Germany joined the programme in 2015.
-
![Intelligence advantage: How real-time GEOINT is reshaping military decision-making (Studio)]()
Intelligence advantage: How real-time GEOINT is reshaping military decision-making (Studio)
In today’s contested operational environment, adaptability is key. The new Geospatial-Intelligence as a Service (GEO IaaS) solution from Fujitsu and MAIAR empowers militaries by enabling intelligence advantage, combining advanced technology with human expertise to deliver actionable insights.
-
![Israel sets up new department to boost development of AI and autonomy]()
Israel sets up new department to boost development of AI and autonomy
Israel will continue to develop autonomy for its weapons and platforms as it brings together defence personnel, academia and industry.
-
![Clavister contracted to supply cyber protection for CV90s]()
Clavister contracted to supply cyber protection for CV90s
Clavister CyberArmour, an integrated defence cybersecurity system, will be used on BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 platform in deployments with a Scandinavian country, as well as in an eastern European nation.
-
![Lockheed Martin completes tactical satellite demonstration and prepares for launch]()
Lockheed Martin completes tactical satellite demonstration and prepares for launch
The tactical satellite (TacSat) is an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) system and will participate in exercises in 2025.
-
![AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family]()
AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family
The airborne three-domain, the two ground-based and the ¼ ATR OpenVPX-based cross-domain systems were engineered to provide real-time security across multi-domain operations.
