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.
The US Army awarded Silvus Technologies a $2.4 million order for the procurement StreamCaster mobile ad hoc network (MANET) radios for deployment at scale in the branch's Integrated Tactical Network. Announced on 7 September, the order acquisition is part of the Army’s Capability Set 23 (CS23).
For CS23, StreamCaster radios (Joint Electronics Type Designation: AN/PRC-169) will be deployed to Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCTs), providing continuity of operations for mounted and dismounted formations that will extend the distance and range of these units, thereby increasing mobility for manoeuvre.
Previously selected for CS21 to connect key command posts at the brigade and battalion echelons, StreamCaster radios enable transmission of federated Team Awareness Kit data with up to 8W of output power, high data rates and dual frequency band support.
In addition to providing robust, high bandwidth connectivity, these systems connect Stryker SBCTs command posts, creating a self-organising mesh network designed to operate in multiple spectrum bands at high data rates, with advanced interference avoidance and cancellation waveform capabilities.
The order comes just weeks after Silvus StreamCaster radios and version 4.0.2.8 of StreamScape firmware achieved Authority to Operate (ATO) certification from the US Army.
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.