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.
A US Army paratrooper secures an AN/PRC-163 radio to a Tactical Assault Panel while preparing for Exercise Swift Response 21 in Hungary, 8 May 2021. (Photo: US Army/Spc Giovanny Lopez)
L3Harris Technologies has received a $750 million IDIQ contract from the USMC for its Falcon IV AN/PRC-163 multi-channel handheld radio.
The company will supply radios, accessories and installation kits enabling the Falcon IV to be integrated with the HMMWV and Joint Light Tactical Vehicle.
The DoD noted in a 26 January announcement that Falcon IV will replace ‘legacy handheld systems’ that do not meet the National Security Agency 2024 cryptographic modernisation mandate.
L3Harris will complete work on the contract from Marine Corps Systems Command by January 2032.
Under a full-rate production contract awarded by the US Army in mid-2021 under its Leader Radio tactical data radio programme, L3Harris is also providing 2,498 Falcon IV radios.
These sets will be delivered to Infantry Brigade Combat Teams in the 25th Division, 2nd Cavalry Regiment Stryker Brigade Combat Team (BCT).
Formerly known as the RF-335M-STC, the Falcon IV software-defined radio provides secure two-channel connectivity in a lightweight, handheld, rugged form factor.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that the radio can simultaneously transmit voice, data and situational awareness through mobile ad hoc networking applications, VHF/UHF line-of-sight and legacy SATCOM.
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.