Air Force orders more CSEL radios

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HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., May 12 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force has ordered 2,424 more Combat Survivor Evader Locator combat search-and-rescue radios from Boeing in California, the company announced.

Boeing has already delivered more than 43,900 CSEL radios to the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps.

The new contract, worth $21.4 million, is the fifth CSEL contract for the Air Force, Boeing said.

"When minutes count, CSEL allows rescue teams to precisely locate isolated personnel using multi-satellite, over-the-horizon communications and GPS," said Boeing CSEL Program Manager Steve Capps. "Boeing CSEL radios save lives by providing real-time communications capabilities and enhanced coordination with a downed pilot."

The production order includes radio sets and adapter spares, rechargeable batteries and battery adapters.

Delivery of all components is to be completed by April 2012.

CSEL is the Department of Defense's program of record for combat search-and-rescue communications. The radios also are available to other U.S. government service branches through the General Services Administration.