US Air Force to grow E-11A BACN airborne communications gateway fleet
The E-11A was used extensively by the USAF in Afghanistan, and the latest contract will take the fleet to five aircraft. (Photo: USAF)
The United States Air Force (USAF) is expanding its E-11A fleet from three to five after awarding Northrop Grumman a contract to integrate Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) on two additional aircraft.
The USAF has awarded Northrop Grumman a contract for purchase and integration of Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) payloads on two additional E-11A aircraft (a modified Bombardier Global 6000 business jet).
BACN provides an airborne communications gateway capability to commanders and warfighters, connecting voice and data link networks. It bridges and extends voice communications and battlespace awareness data from numerous sources using a suite of computers and radio systems.
This award is part of an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract awarded in 2021 to extend BACN operations, sustainment and support.
BACN is currently fielded by the USAF on three E-11As, a fourth having been lost in a crash in Afghanistan in 2020. The air force also flew three EQ-4B Global Hawks with the payload, but these were retired in 2021.
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![Kratos wins $579 million space defence contract for ground control system]()
Kratos wins $579 million space defence contract for ground control system
Kratos Defense and Security Solutions to provide satellite control capabilities to US Space Force and US Space Command.
-
![NATO adopts high-data-rate waveform for tactical communications]()
NATO adopts high-data-rate waveform for tactical communications
NATO member countries can now access to the ESSOR HDR Base Waveform which can offer secure and high-speed tactical communications.
-
![Lockheed Martin joins radar research consortium ahead of Finland’s F-35 procurement]()
Lockheed Martin joins radar research consortium ahead of Finland’s F-35 procurement
Lockheed Martin and VTT will lead a consortium of Finnish defence and technology companies to develop signals intelligence technologies for the F-35 and other defence applications.
-
![Eventide Communications' NexLog DX-FIPS recorders achieve JITC certification]()
Eventide Communications' NexLog DX-FIPS recorders achieve JITC certification
Reliability and security remain at the forefront of technology considerations in the rapidly evolving defence communications industry.
-
![Steatite nears completion of order for Crib rugged mobile operations hub]()
Steatite nears completion of order for Crib rugged mobile operations hub
Steatite‘s Crib is a ruggedised universal C2 terminal which incorporates multi-function displays enabled with Persistent Systems Wave Relay Mobile Ad-hoc Network (MANET) radio.
-
![UK MoD’s new cybersecurity requirements present industry challenges]()
UK MoD’s new cybersecurity requirements present industry challenges
The Secure by Design approach means capability owners and delivery teams are accountable and responsible for delivering systems that are cyber secure.
