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
Instrument Runway A runway equipped with electronic and visual navigation aids for which a precision or nonprecision approach procedure having straight-in landing minimums has been>[...]
Aero Linx: Alaska Airmen's Association The Alaska Airmen's Association includes over 2,000 members—we are one of the largest General Aviation communities in the country. We s>[...]
Also: Flt School Security, G600 Steep-Approach, Honduran Aid, PW545D Cert Two aircraft performing at the Fort Lauderdale Air Show clipped wings during a routine last Sunday, spooki>[...]
Also: SkyReach Parts Support, Piper Service Ctr, Airliner Near-Miss, Airshow London The Judge overseeing Icon's convoluted Chapter 11 process has approved $9 million in Chapter 11 >[...]
Also: Paramotor Champ's, Electric Ultralight, ICON BK Update, Burt Rutan at Oshkosh! The Popular Rotorcraft Association is reaching out for help in rebuilding their private runway >[...]
ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.16.24): Instrument Runway
See All