Military

Boeing Upgrades B-52 Communication System

By Tish Drake | October 1, 2009
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Boeing received a $5.4 million contract to integrate a new satellite communication system on the U.S. Air Force B-52 fleet. The Extremely High Frequency (EHF) system will enable the exchange of information through Family of Advanced Beyond line-of-sight Terminals (FAB-T), enabling communication with the B-52 from ground, air and space platforms, according to the company. The contract will proceed with three increments. The first includes planning, risk mitigation and development of system requirements; the second will cover the design and installation of the FAB-T communication hardware; and the third will integrate the new system into the Global Information Grid. Total contract value is expected to be more than $100 million. A B-52 upgraded with the Combat Network Communications Technology (CONECT) network-centric upgrade completed its first flight in May and is now in the flight test program at Edwards Air Force Base in California, the company said. Boeing said it is also integrating the SNIPER advanced targeting pod on the B-52 and continues to install software upgrades on an 18-month schedule.

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