U.S. Army contracts Raytheon for FMS aircraft communications support

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army awarded Raytheon a five-year Foreign Military Sales Systems Communications contract with a ceiling value of $80 million.

Under the contract, Raytheon will provide support for communication systems as well as training for aircraft sold to foreign nations through the Foreign Military Sales process. Scott Whatmough, vice president of Integrated Communications Systems for Raytheon's Space and Airborne Systems business, noted his company has been supporting tactical communication systems to warfighters around the world for over 50 years.

"We are committed to building on that proud legacy through our enduring partnership with the U.S. Army and allied forces around the world," Watmough said in a statement.

The contract covers the production, support, and training for both the ACR-231 and ARC-164 radio systems, which are fitted on several rotary wing platforms including CH-47 Chinooks, UH-72A Lakotas, UH-60M Blackhawks, and AH-64E Apaches.

The ARC-164 communication system allows for anti-jam Ultra High Frequency voice communication. The ARC-231 airborne communication system also has an anti-jam feature preventing interference in communications, and is designed for interoperability across tactical environments.

The communication systems will be manufactured in Raytheon's facility in Largo, Florida.