Raytheon Wins Radar Pact

Raytheon won a $9.7 million contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to design and develop the next-generation wideband common data link for active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar systems. Raytheon, Waltham, Mass., said the five-year program calls for it to develop specifications and open-standards interfaces for a radar common data link to determine how it would operate with current and future AESA systems, to formulate concepts of operations with the Air Force, and to demonstrate feasibility. “The Radar Common Data Link program will provide fast tactical communications in the battle space,” said Nick Uros, vice president for the Advanced Concepts and Technology group of Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems. Raytheon is teamed with L-3 Communications and Boeing on the program. L-3 will provide experience with common data link waveforms. Boeing is the platform partner for integration of the AESA technology on the F-15 and F/A-18 aircraft. More