Harris To Supply NSA-Certified Radios

Harris RF Communications has received a $14.4 million order to supply additional RF-310M-HH handheld tactical radios with NSA-certified Type 1 Suite B encryption to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) coalition forces. The contract is part of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) Coalition Readiness Support Program. The software-defined radios (SDRs), which simplify communications between US and international coalition forces, support voice and data communications to SECRET level classification.

“The RF-310M-HH simplifies how forces from different nations communicate in combat by lowering barriers to interoperability,” explains Brendan O’Connell, President of the Department of Defense business unit for Harris RF Communications. “The result is improved coordination, better mission planning, and reduced risk of friendly fire.” The radio incorporates the Sierra IIB programmable encryption module, certified by the NSA in June 2009. It also hosts the APCO P25 waveform, which provides interoperability with radios used by police and other emergency response organizations. The RF-310M features a Software Communications Architecture (SCA) with full coverage from 30 to 512 MHz.

Army Names SkyBuilt Power For Afghanistan

SkyBuilt Power has been awarded a contract by the US Army to provide rapidly deployable renewable energy power stations for Afghanistan. The company is involved in the development of renewable energy power stations that can be fixed or mobile, and use sources such as solar energy, wind, or biomass. The systems are designed for military applications, as well as for homeland security and emergency relief situations.

According to David Muchow, SkyBuilt President and CEO, “This is another example of how SkyBuilt’s unique, rapidly deployable, renewable energy power systems can support our troops in the field. These patented systems can reduce the threat from IEDs by reducing the need for fuel convoys, while saving operating expenses, maintenance, and spare parts required with diesel generators. SkyBuilt’s quiet systems also are ideal for night watch in remote Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) and other locations, and for sensor systems. And they can have minimal heat and radar signatures.”

Elbit Fuels Korean Airborne EW Suites

Elbit Systems Ltd., through its subsidiary Elisra Electronic Systems Ltd., will be supplying the government of the Republic of Korea with Airborne Electronic Warfare (EW) Suites and Missile Warning Systems (MWS) for its ROKAF CN-235 Transporters. The contract, valued at about $29 million, provides Korean airships with advanced EW protection against numerous threats. As part of a separate contract, Elbit Systems Ltd. announced that it had been awarded a contract valued at about $18 million by an Asian customer for EHUD Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) systems. The contract is part of a follow-on order for two additional complete systems for real-time, autonomous air-to-air, and air-to-ground combat training and debriefing.

The new system features interoperability with existing Elbit Systems training systems. The contract will be executed over the next two years. According to Yoram Shmuely, Co-General Manager of Elbit Systems’ Aerospace Division, ”We are very proud to receive this follow-on order. This contract emphasizes once again the EHUD’s overall outstanding reputation for enhancing the training and operational levels of air forces in Asia, NATO,
and around the world.”

Orbit Receives Order For UAV Coms Systems

ORBIT Communication Systems Ltd. has received a contract valued at $3.1 million from an undisclosed customer for shipborne unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) tracking and communications systems. The tracking/communications systems are designed to be operated on platforms at sea. They provide precise tracking of a UAV and can be used for communications, command, control and intelligence provided by the UAVs in maritime environments. Part of OBIT’s family of tracking antenna solutions, the systems enable reliable and high speed telemetry, data, and video communication links with platforms in motion.

This is the second major contract the firm has earned recently for its tracking and telemetry systems, following a $6.25 million award last October. Notes Avi Cohen, President and CEO of ORBIT Communication Systems: “Our vast experience in developing tough, all-weather-proven communication systems allows us to offer our customers reliable systems that enable continuous UAV communication, even at sea.”

Raytheon To Retrofit AESA Radar Systems

Raytheon Company has received a $52 million contract from Naval Air Systems Command to produce APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars for F/A-18 Super Hornet tactical aircraft. The AESA radar systems can detect and identify targets beyond the reach of most missiles, providing unprecedented long-range detection capability. According to Eric Ditmars, F/A-18 program director for Tactical Airborne Systems, the systems provide excellent reliability and maintainability. “Raytheon’s high-performance AESA radar systems offer greater affordability over the life of the radar,” he explains. “The APG-79 has extremely low failure and maintenance rates.”

Work for this program will be completed at Raytheon facilities in El Segundo, CA, Andover, MA, Forest, MI, and Dallas, TX, with deliveries expected to begin in October of 2012.