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.

Lockheed Martin to sustain sensors for Saudi Arabia's F-15s
Orlando, Fla. (UPI) Nov 9, 2015 - The U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin with $262.8 million contract to sustain sensor suites for Saudi Arabia's F-15 fleet.

Sensor suite upgrades will include Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods, Infrared Search and Track Systems, and LANTIRN Extended Range navigation pods. Sniper Advanced Targeting pods are fitted to a variety of bombers and multi-role fighter jets to enhance air-to-ground and air-to-air combat capabilities. Other upgrades will help improve navigation and targeting abilities for the fleet.

Under the contract, Lockeed Martin will collaborate with Advanced Electronics Company to perform the sustainment services for the sensor suites. Advanced Electronics Company is an electronics manufacturer based in Saudi Arabia that focuses on integration, repair, and maintenance services. The company will partner with both The U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin for the sensor upgrades.

"Since 1996, Lockheed Martin has provided the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with its most advanced sensor systems, including Sniper ATP, LANTIRN ER and IRST," Paul Lemmo, vice president of fire control/SOF CLSS at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control said in a statement.

Lemmo adds the services will afford the Royal Saudi Air Force with unmatched availability and performance.