US Space Force increases efforts to plug training capabilities gaps
The service has been seeking simulation and emulation solutions capable of reproducing multiple in-orbit threats.
Dismounted US forces operating in Afghanistan are set to receive the latest upgrade to ITT's Netted Iridium RO and C2 tactical radios, Iridium Communications have revealed.
Speaking to Shephard at DSEi on 15 September, company executives said the Phase III upgrade would extend the radio system's range yet further from its current 200-250 mile radius by up to 300%. However, they were unable to comment on when the software upgrades would be implemented.
In its original form, the RO radio boasted a range radius of 100 miles but a Phase II upgrade, which began in 2010, saw this more than doubled. A total of around 6,500 systems have been fielded to the US Marine Corps and other units in Afghanistan in order to provide secure voice and data communications for dispersed soldiers.
According to Iridium, the systems rely on low-earth orbiting, non-geostationary Iridium satellite constellation. It is thought the Phase III upgrade incorporated the utilisation of satellite crosslinks.
Additionally, an ITT spokesperson said the company was also planning on integrating a mapping attachment called 'RO Map'. This is designed to improve a warfighter's situation awareness although the spokesperson was unable to provide more details.
The RO Tactical Radio relies on the Distributed Tactical Communications System architecture and the Defense Information Systems Agency's Enhanced Mobile Satellite Service.
The service has been seeking simulation and emulation solutions capable of reproducing multiple in-orbit threats.
The service has been conducting several acquisition and upgrading efforts involving artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve communication, data analysis and ISR systems.
The Syracuse 4B communications satellite, developed by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space, was launched last year, bolstering secure military satellite communications for the French Armed Forces. Thales has now been selected to provide terminals for vehicles.
The growing importance of space in modern warfare, advancements in satellite technology, and increasing threats from rivals like China and Russia were among the topics of a Eurosatory 2024 panel on military space operations.
AN/ARC-232A is a Starfire radio that provides VHF/UHF communications to airborne platforms and the transceiver is software-programmable, allowing for multiple waveform support as well as optional national electronic counter counter-measure (ECCM) capability.
During the 18-month period of the contract, Lockheed Martin will apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to create surrogate models of aircraft, sensors, electronic warfare and weapons within dynamic and operationally representative environments.