Sun, Aug 16, 2015
Will Upgrade More Than 7,000 Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, And Unmanned Aircraft
The U.S. Army has awarded Raytheon Company a $36 million contract to fund the certification and testing of a significant upgrade to the AN/ARC-231 Multi-Mode Communications System. The upgraded systems will provide the highest level of security for voice and data communications for more than 7,000 rotary, fixed wing and unmanned Army platforms – including Apaches, Blackhawks, Chinooks and Gray Eagles.
The AN/ARC-231 is a VHF/UHF multi-band tactical communications system that provides high quality, reliable, secure, internationally compatible and interoperable voice and data links. The software-defined AN/ARC-231 is ready for a seamless transition to the emerging Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite communications networking waveform, while retaining full compatibility with legacy air-to-air and air-to-ground Line of Sight and SATCOM communication requirements.
The U.S. Army awarded the contract after receiving the last of 18 Engineering Development Models (EDM). The AN/ARC-231 advanced hardware design will offer untapped capabilities to meet emerging communications requirements through software-only upgrades.
"The completion of EDM deliveries and the start of certification testing mark significant milestones for the AN/ARC-231 upgrade program," said Scott Whatmough, vice president of Integrated Communications Systems for Raytheon's Space and Airborne Systems business. "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."
Testing of the upgraded AN/ARC-231, which will become the newest member of the SkyFire product family, will be conducted at Raytheon's facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and at the U.S. Army's Software Engineering Directorate laboratory in Huntsville, Alabama. Testing will ultimately result in full cryptographic certification for the upgraded system.
(Image provided by Raytheon)
More News
Aero Linx: Model Aeronautical Association of Australia MAAA clubs are about fun flying, camaraderie and community. For over 75 years, the MAAA has been Australia’s largest fl>[...]
Touchdown Zone Lighting Two rows of transverse light bars located symmetrically about the runway centerline normally at 100 foot intervals. The basic system extends 3,000 feet alon>[...]
“Discovery and innovation are central to our mission at Virgin Galactic. We’re excited to build on our successful record of facilitating scientific experiments in subor>[...]
How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]
Student Pilot Reported That During Rotation, “All Of A Sudden The Back Of The Plane Kicked To The Right..." Analysis: The student pilot reported that during rotation, “>[...]