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 supply the US Air Force with additional Falcon III AN/PRC-117G multiband manpack and AN/PRC-152A multiband handheld tactical radio systems under orders worth $38 million announced on 18 September.
Falcon III provides situational awareness of the battlefield through integrated line-of-sight, beyond-line-of-sight and wideband communications capabilities. The radios will accelerate the rollout of Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) wideband networking capabilities to para-rescue, combat communications and other air force personnel.
George Helm, president, US Department of Defense business, Harris RF Communications, said: ‘Harris’ Falcon III radios provide secure voice communications and enable operators to send and receive images, video, e-mails, text messages and even participate in teleconferences. The air force is deploying our JTRS-certified radios to provide two-channel communication capabilities. JTRS-certified wideband networking allows users to connect seamlessly to the global information grid, a secure, classified version of the internet.’
Both the AN/PRC-117G multiband manpack and AN/PRC-152A multiband handheld tactical radio are equipped with the Harris Adaptive Networking Wideband Waveform, which enable military forces to interoperate seamlessly with battle management software applications. The radios are certified to operate JTRS Soldier Radio Waveform and support other key US Air Force capabilities, such as the HAVEQUICK and APCO Project-25 waveforms.
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.