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.
Harris Corporation will provide the US Air Force (USAF) with Falcon multiband manpack tactical radios and accessories under a new $85 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract announced on 21 December. An initial delivery order of $33 million was placed with the contract award.
The Falcon III AN/PRC-117G will serve USAF ground units as the next-generation radio platform for tactical voice and wideband data communications. The system will provide the USAF with seamless connectivity to the global information grid in support of a range of existing and emerging network-enabled missions.
The Falcon III AN/PRC-117G is a next-generation radio, combining line-of-sight, beyond-line-of-sight and wideband communications capabilities in a single lightweight package. The radio provides enhanced situational awareness of the battlefield by connecting warfighters to the tactical internet.
George Helm, president, Department of Defense business, Harris RF Communications, said: ‘The air force will modernise its tactical communications around the wideband AN/PRC-117G, providing its personnel with enhanced situational awareness, ISR and command and control capabilities. This new IDIQ will allow the air force to address both current JTRS requirements as well as emerging interoperability requirements through an affordable, upgradeable, combat-proven platform. The USAF is rapidly advancing its tactical radio modernisation programme, taking full advantage of the JTRS-Certified AN/PRC-117G manpack radio available today.’
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.