L-3 to supply 236 VSATs to ADF
L-3 Communications has been awarded a contract from Raytheon Australia to supply 236 Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) to the Australian Defence Force (ADF), it announced on 12 May.
The company will also supply additional support equipment and training along with the terminals as part of the ADF's Joint Project 2008 Phase 5B1 programme. This programme will enable the ADF to further utilise the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) system and increase its satellite communications capabilities.
Two business units of L-3 Communications will perform on the contract: Global Communications Solutions (GCS) and Linkabit. Hardware deliveries are expected to be completed in 2015.
Under the contract, ADF will receive L-3 GCS's Hawkeye and Panther VSATs, integrated with L-3 Linkabit’s MPM family of modems, with an option to purchase additional terminals and equipment.
This award is a follow-on to the $35 million Joint Project 2008 Phase 3H contract awarded in 2013 for 54 Hawkeye III Lite VSATs and support equipment.
Bob Jacobson, president of GCS and tactical SATCOM sector, L-3 Communications, said: 'The L-3 GCS SATCOM terminals are attractive to the Australian military for a number of reasons, including their certification for use on the WGS and their reputation within the US Department of Defense for quality, performance and reliability.
'Australia is an emerging market for WGS-certified terminals and we look forward to building on the valued relationship we share with our Australian partners.'
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