German Navy in “ramp-up” phase as it welcomes first NH90 Sea Tiger delivery
With all 31 aircraft set to be delivered by 2030, the helicopters will gradually replace the ageing Sea Lynx fleet which are due to be retired in 2026.
BNET-AR software-defined radio. (Photo: Rafael)
The BNET-AR software-defined communication solution from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems will be installed on a fleet of aircraft belonging to the air force of an unnamed Asian country, the Israeli company announced on 15 June.
BNET-AR is a modular multiband software-defined radio (SDR) for airborne platforms, integrated on fighters and helicopters as well as Ground Control Stations, enabling network-centric operations and real-time situation awareness.
‘This new contract strengthens our position as a major supplier of aerial communication systems,’ claimed Yoav Wermuth, Rafael VP and head of C3I.
While the Israeli company did not divulge the name of the customer, Shephard reported in February 2017 that India was ordering about 1,000 of the SDRs for its Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Jaguar and airborne early warning aircraft fleets.
BNET technology is available in several configurations: BNET Hand Held for soldiers in the field; BNET Vehicular for operation on combat vehicles; and BNET Airborne for aircraft.
The dual-band software-defined radio family provides jam-resistant, high-speed data and voice (analogue and VoIP) for use in combat communications, Shephard Defence Insight notes.
With all 31 aircraft set to be delivered by 2030, the helicopters will gradually replace the ageing Sea Lynx fleet which are due to be retired in 2026.
How RTX is equipping the military airspace – for today’s fleet and tomorrow’s fight.
German, French and Spanish leadership set an end-of-year deadline to decide the fate of the Future Combat Air System programme which has struggled with a political stalemate for the latter half of 2025.
The order for the extra helicopters comes from an agreement penned in December 2023, with the German Army receiving the bulk of the platforms.
The pair will submit their demonstrator concept for Project Nyx, a development project for the British Army’s Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform.
The Picatinny Common Lethality Integration Kit is designed to overcome the issue of unique integration methods between lethal payloads and drones as well as avoiding problematic acquisition conditions created by vendor lock.