MCKINNEY, Texas, Aug. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Army has
awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $36
million contract to fund the certification and testing of a
significant upgrade to the AN/ARC-231 Multi-Mode Communications
System. The upgraded systems will provide the highest level of
security for voice and data communications for more than 7,000
rotary, fixed wing and unmanned Army platforms – including Apaches,
Blackhawks, Chinooks and Gray
Eagles.
The AN/ARC-231 is a VHF/UHF multi-band tactical communications
system that provides high quality, reliable, secure,
internationally compatible and interoperable voice and data links.
The software-defined AN/ARC-231 is ready for a seamless transition
to the emerging Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite
communications networking waveform, while retaining full
compatibility with legacy air-to-air and air-to-ground Line of
Sight and SATCOM communication requirements.
The U.S. Army awarded the contract after receiving the last of
18 Engineering Development Models (EDM). The AN/ARC-231 advanced
hardware design will offer untapped capabilities to meet emerging
communications requirements through software-only
upgrades.
"The completion of EDM deliveries and the start of certification
testing mark significant milestones for the AN/ARC-231 upgrade
program," said Scott Whatmough, vice
president of Integrated Communications Systems for Raytheon's Space
and Airborne Systems business. "These are critical steps in the
process of ensuring Army aviators have the secure communications
capabilities they need to accomplish their missions in today's
rapidly evolving threat environment."
Testing of the upgraded AN/ARC-231, which will become the newest
member of the SkyFire product family, will be conducted at
Raytheon's facility in Fort Wayne,
Indiana, and at the U.S. Army's Software Engineering
Directorate laboratory in Huntsville,
Alabama. Testing will ultimately result in full
cryptographic certification for the upgraded system.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2014 sales of
$23 billion and 61,000 employees
worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in
defense, civil government and cybersecurity markets throughout the
world. With a history of innovation spanning 93 years, Raytheon
provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration
and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and
command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well
as cybersecurity and a broad range of mission support services.
Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more
about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow
us on Twitter @Raytheon.
Media Contact
B.J.
Boling
+1.972.952.4761
SASPR@Raytheon.com
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SOURCE Raytheon Company