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.
L-3 Communications has received a nine-year, $160 million contract from Bollinger Shipyards to provide an integrated C4ISR system for the US Coast Guard’s (USCG) 26 Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters (FRCs), the company announced on 25 July.
Under the contract L-3 will provide initial design upgrades to the FRC, including exterior communications, antenna arrangement and analysis, and other situational awareness enhancements. Interior and exterior communications systems, integrated bridge, and distributed navigation equipment will also be delivered, installed and supported.
The company will also provide training to FRC crew and provide post-delivery warranty support at each cutter’s homeport.
The Sentinel-class FRC is capable conducting missions including port, waterways and coastal security; search and rescue; fishery patrols; and national defence. The vessels can accommodate 22 crew members, endure five or more days at sea, and feature short-range prosecutor rigid-hull inflatable boats for rescue and interception.
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.