BAE Systems has won a 5-year, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with a ceiling value of $460 million from the U.S. Army for the AN/ARC-231/A Multi-mode Aviation Radio Set.
This contract includes hardware components, repair services, engineering and logistic support, and development for rotary-wing aircraft. The MARS system is designed to perform in demanding environments and provide warfighters with secure mission-critical information.
“We provide communication solutions with scalable software deployment in support of tactical missions where speed and relevance of information matter most,” said Amber Dolan, director of Adaptive Communications and Sensing at BAE Systems.
“This airborne radio design enables the U.S. Army to upgrade their rotary-wing fleet with the latest secure waveform that can be tailored for each mission for years to come.”
Operators today rely on fast and accurate communications to make key decisions in the field. MARS’ programmability reduces the time to field with evolving communication needs, special mission modifications and performance enhancements, the company said.
The software communications architecture and software-defined radio design allow for fielding new capabilities as software-only upgrades.
The AN/ARC-231A MARS system leverages the RT-1987 radio with associated ancillaries, like amplifiers and mounting bases. It is the newest generation of multi-band, multi-mission, airborne communications system with Type 1 Crypto Modernization, the company said.
It’s focused on configurability and enables flexible integration and mission deployment options for interoperability for joint force operations. The radios are also available through foreign military sales, providing internationally compliant air traffic control communications and full range of mandatory U.S. and NATO capabilities.
The radios will be developed and produced at BAE Systems’ facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with engineering support in Largo, Florida.