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 has received a five-year, $765 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide tactical radios and ancillary devices to the US Navy and US Marine Corps, the company announced on 13 October.
Under this contract, the US Navy will procure radios including the Harris AN/PRC-117G, AN/PRC-152A and the new AN/PRC-160 wideband high frequency radio, and peripheral attachments, to support handheld, manpack, vehicular and base station mission needs. The new contract replaces a $300 million IDIQ contract that expired in August.
Chris Young, president, Harris Communication Systems, said: ‘This award stems from our successful long-standing track record of developing and delivering the most advanced family of tactical radios.
‘The award enables Harris to continue to meet the US Navy and US Marine Corps’ current and emerging needs so that they can successfully accomplish their missions around the globe.’
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.