BAE Systems has been awarded a significant five-year contract with the U.S. Army, valued at up to $460 million, for the supply and support of the AN/ARC-231/A Multi-mode Aviation Radio Set (MARS).
This contract, structured as an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity agreement, encompasses a range of services including hardware components, repair services, engineering, logistical support, and system development for rotary-wing aircraft, according to a press release.
The MARS system, say the firm, is designed to deliver mission-critical information securely, even in the most challenging environments. Its software-defined radio architecture allows for quick adaptation to evolving communication needs, ensuring that operators on the battlefield can receive fast and accurate data for decision-making.
The MARS system enables scalable software deployments, allowing for software-only upgrades rather than hardware changes, a key feature that makes it future-proof for tactical operations.
BAE Systems’ Adaptive Communications and Sensing Director, Amber Dolan, emphasised the importance of flexible communications systems in modern battlefields, stating, “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.”
The radio system, which includes the RT-1987 radio and associated ancillaries such as amplifiers and mounting bases, offers multi-band, multi-mission capabilities. It has been designed to support U.S. and NATO military standards, with options available for foreign military sales.
Development and production of the MARS system will take place at BAE Systems’ facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with additional engineering support based in Largo, Florida.
Another win for BAE. Keep at it.