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 software-defined Falcon IV radio integrates voice and data communications, network routing and gateway functions. (Photo: L3Harris)
L3Harris Technologies has announced follow-on orders worth $160 million from the USMC for AN/PRC-163 multi-channel handheld and vehicular radios.
The two new orders fall under a ten-year, competitively awarded $750 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for Falcon IV manpack and handheld systems, and bring total programme orders to $336 million.
'The resilient communications our battle-proven radios and secure waveforms offer allow marines to talk to each other with confidence and exchange information at faster rates,' said Chris Aebli, president, Tactical Communications, L3Harris.
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The software-defined Falcon IV integrates voice and data communications, network routing and gateway functions.
The latest USMC commitments follow two Falcon IV orders from the US Army last year totalling $235 million.
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.