L-3 wins US Navy CDL Hawklink contract
L-3 Communications Communication Systems-West (CS-West) has been selected for the 2012 to 2017 full-rate production contract of CDL Hawklink.
L-3’s Ku-Band CDL Hawklink system is the high-speed digital data link that transmits tactical video, radar and acoustic sensor data from the US Navy’s MH-60 Romeo Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System helicopter to its host surface ships.
Comprising the AN/ARQ-59 airborne terminal and the AN/SRQ-4 shipboard terminal, the Ku-Band CDL Hawklink system will double the Hawklink’s current data rates for the MH-60R at ranges over 100 nautical miles and will support a full range of surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and recovery missions. Additionally, the system is suitable for a variety of platforms, providing extended range, high data rates and proven operational reliability.
Susan Opp, president of L-3’s Communication Systems Group, said: ‘The US Navy’s helicopters just became even more capable with the delivery of the L-3 CDL Hawklink airborne and shipboard data link terminals. We are proud of our team; they worked very hard to deliver what we believe to be the most capable wideband data link ever employed on a helicopter.’
With the delivery of the 100th MH-60R to the Fleet in 2011, the introduction of L-3’s Ku-Band CDL Hawklink system will allow the Romeo to share all the increased sensor capability quickly, seamlessly and fully encrypted with warfare commands.
The production contract is valued at $181 million, with $28 million to be awarded this year. L-3 is the current prime contractor for the programme, and this award follows a prior initial production contract award in June 2009 of $141 million.
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![Babcock nears first customer for Nomad AI translation tool]()
Babcock nears first customer for Nomad AI translation tool
Nomad can provide militaries with real-time intelligence, saving critical time on the battlefield.
-
![AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems]()
AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems
Taurus operates alongside the Israel Defense Forces’ Orion system which supports mission management across tens of thousands of manoeuvring forces, from squad leaders to battalion commanders.
-
![AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster]()
AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster
The plan for the new displays follows fresh investment in Kopin’s European facilities by Theon and an order for head-up displays in fielded aircraft, with funding from the US Department of Defense.
-
![AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end]()
AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end
Persistent Systems received its largest ever single order for its MPU5 devices and other systems earlier this month and has already delivered the 50 units to the US Army’s 4th Infantry Division.
-
![Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella]()
Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella
Turkey has joined the family of countries attempting to establish a multilayered air defence system with government approval in August 2024 for the effort landed by Aselsan. Dubbed Steel Dome, the programme joins Israel’s Iron Dome, the US Golden Dome, India’s Mission Sudarshan Chakra and South Korea’s low-altitude missile defence system.
-
![DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system]()
DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system
MARSS’ NiDAR system has been deployed using sensors from static platforms to provide detection and protection for static sights, such as critical infrastructure, ports and military bases.
