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.
Viasat’s Battlefield Awareness and Targeting System-Dismounted (BATS-D) handheld Link 16 radio has received Type 1 National Security Agency (NSA) certification, the company announced on 4 December.
The radio, designated AN/PRC-161 by the US Department of Defense, is designed to enable direct, digital communications between a dismounted joint terminal attack controller and close air support aircraft. It provides direct access to a line of sight tactical datalink network for aircraft and ships in a handheld unit.
The radio is field compliant for the Link 16 Cryptographic Modernisation Initiative (CMI) mandate, and is natively certified for CMI as part of its initial certification.
As part of the certification process the radio's interoperability with other Link 16 radios was tested, including the Multi-functional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System and the KOR-24A Small Tactical Terminal.
Ken Peterman, president, government systems, Viasat, said: ‘This is a testament to our Link 16 radio innovation, our agile development process, our focus on advanced crypto solutions and our decision to bring a commercial model to the defence market.
‘We have certified BATS-D units available today to support US and overseas contingency operations immediately, enabling us to ship product today without any wait.’
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.