USAF spends big on airborne AEHF terminals
A USAF RC-135 Rivet Joint lands at RAF Mildenhall on 18 April 2019. (Photo: USAF/Airman 1st Class Joseph Barron)
Raytheon to support radiation-hardened SATCOM terminals on B-52s and RC-135s.
Raytheon has received a ten-year, $960 million IDIQ contract from the USAF Nuclear Weapons Center to support Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) radiation-hardened SATCOM terminals aboard aircraft.
Services include interim contractor support, contractor logistics support, terminal depot activation, terminal hardware/software procurement and studies associated with support of AEHF terminals.
Raytheon provides protected AEHF terminals for the USAF, US Army and USN, with more than 500 systems in service.
The company obtained a $442.3 million contract in mid-January 2020 under the Force Element Terminal (FET) programme, to install AEHF terminals aboard USAF B-52 strategic bombers and RC-135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft.
Both aircraft types are switching from the Military Strategic Tactical Relay satellite constellation to AEHF.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Northrop Grumman to fly new Project Talon CCA by late 2026]()
Northrop Grumman to fly new Project Talon CCA by late 2026
The newly unveiled collaborative combat aircraft looks to strike a balance between capability and cost-effectiveness, according to the company.
-
![MBDA and Lockheed move closer to F-35A Meteor flight tests]()
MBDA and Lockheed move closer to F-35A Meteor flight tests
Following the completion of successful ground tests, one more exercise remains before flight testing can begin.
-
![Brazilian Air Force conducts first live fire of Meteor missile from Gripen E]()
Brazilian Air Force conducts first live fire of Meteor missile from Gripen E
The major milestone for the beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile was conducted in November and expands the capabilities of the air force’s growing Gripen E fleet.
-
![India finally powers up engine production as it prepares to talk platforms with Putin]()
India finally powers up engine production as it prepares to talk platforms with Putin
Engine technology has been thrust into the spotlight ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India this week, with the Su-57, S-400 and Kamov-226 expected to be high on the agenda.
-
![Leonardo’s Proteus concludes ground tests with maiden flight on horizon]()
Leonardo’s Proteus concludes ground tests with maiden flight on horizon
The technology demonstrator forms part of a wider effort to help the Royal Navy explore the potential of uncrewed systems supporting its existing crewed aviation platforms.
-
![Airbus MQ-72C Lakota Connector progress on track ahead of pending USMC decision]()
Airbus MQ-72C Lakota Connector progress on track ahead of pending USMC decision
The MQ-7C uncrewed aircraft is currently undergoing further internal flight tests ahead of a government test event anticipated for next year.
