Boeing awarded CSEL upgrade contracts
Boeing has been awarded contracts to upgrade US Air Force Combat Survivor Evader Locator (CSEL) handheld radios and ultrahigh frequency (UHF) base stations with new capabilities to enable faster search and rescue of isolated personnel. The contracts, valued at $13.6 million, were announced on 18 January.
CSEL is a fully qualified, next-generation survival radio system is comprised of over-the-horizon relays, ground, and user equipment segments for the US joint services. The system is designed to minimise the search aspect of a rescue mission by providing recovery forces with precise geo-positioning information and secure, over-the-horizon and line-of-sight, two-way data communications capabilities.
These capabilities allow recovery forces to locate, authenticate, and communicate with isolated personnel in near real-time, anywhere in the world. More than 54,400 CSEL radios have been delivered to the US military to date.
According to Boeing, upgrading the CSEL UHF base stations will bring the CSEL network up to the latest Information Assurance standards that protect networks from outside intrusion.
Steve Capps, Boeing CSEL program manager, said: ‘These new contracts confirm that Boeing is meeting our commitments to provide our military customers with world-class, next-generation communications capabilities. CSEL provides the US military with the strategic advantage of an easy-to-use, multifunction radio that has already played a critical role in numerous successful rescues involving downed combat forces and pilots.’
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release]()
UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release
The release of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has been long promised as mid-year. It is possible it could be as early as 2 June although the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to play its cards close to its chest.
-
![Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)]()
Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)
Intelsat outlines how its multi-orbit SATCOM architecture is enhancing connectivity and resilience for special operations forces operating in degraded and contested environments.
-
![US Space Force’s next-generation missile warning system moves forward with $500 million in new contracts]()
US Space Force’s next-generation missile warning system moves forward with $500 million in new contracts
Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) satellites are intended to provide early warning of missile launches from any location worldwide and new ground stations will result in expanded coverage of critical missile warning.
-
![Airbus launches final CSO observation satellite for French Armed Forces]()
Airbus launches final CSO observation satellite for French Armed Forces
Airbus was awarded the Composante Spatiale Optique (CSO) contract at the end of 2010. This included an option for a third satellite, which was activated after Germany joined the programme in 2015.
-
![Intelligence advantage: How real-time GEOINT is reshaping military decision-making (Studio)]()
Intelligence advantage: How real-time GEOINT is reshaping military decision-making (Studio)
In today’s contested operational environment, adaptability is key. The new Geospatial-Intelligence as a Service (GEO IaaS) solution from Fujitsu and MAIAR empowers militaries by enabling intelligence advantage, combining advanced technology with human expertise to deliver actionable insights.
