USSOCOM choppers to receive BLoS radios
US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) MH-47 and MH-60 helicopters will feature the AN/PRC-160(V) wideband Type 1 HF manpack radio, under a new $45.84 million development contract for L3Harris Technologies.
The deal, announced by the DoD on 7 December but formally awarded on 8 December, includes $6.25 million in FY2021 procurement funds for aircraft interface backplane production and software modifications.
L3Harris describes the AN/PRC-160(V) as ‘the market’s only standalone solution for Beyond-Line-Of-Sight [BLoS] communications in the absence of satellite. This wideband system is also the world’s first and only HF manpack meeting all NSA [National Security Agency] crypto-modernisation standards’.
The software-designed architecture of the manpack radio allows encryption updates, while anti-spoofing GPS prevents false friendly force and target reporting.
More from Digital Battlespace
-
British Army’s ISR commander warns of new challenges facing defence forces
The race between using ISR and resisting the use of it by enemies has accelerated, leading to new methods and systems being required, according to the British Army’s lead on its ISR efforts.
-
Jacobs wins MoD cyber-security support contract
The deal with Jacobs will run until November 2027 and will see the company deliver a range of digital and IT specialist professional services to Defence Digital.
-
Orbit upgrades two multi-purpose terminals and carries out land testing
The communications company has upgraded two of its Beyond Line-of-Sight Multi-Purpose Terminals (MBTs) by introducing advancements in satellite communication technology and AI-driven maintenance capabilities.
-
Norway to receive maritime surveillance satellite data from Kongsberg
Norway's Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace has announced that its subsidiary Kongsberg NanoAvionics will produce three satellites and launch them in 2025.
-
First South Korean 425 Project observation satellite launched
In 2015, South Korea named a consortium of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Hanwha Systems, along with Thales Alenia Space providing the SAR payload derived from its HE-R1000 product, as preferred bidder to develop new Korea 425 Project reconnaissance satellites.