L-3 Wins Communications Upgrade Contract For US Army’s Apache helicopter

L-3 Communications has won a new communications upgrade subcontract from Science and Engineering Services in support of the US Army’s Apache helicopter program.

The project offers increased communications capacity between the Apache and unmanned systems, the company announced Thursday.

L-3’s technology will deliver high-speed transmit and receive capability of wideband video and data. The initial contract is valued at $11.9 million and the work will be performed by L-3 Communication Systems-West in Salt Lake City.

The L-3 solution, known as MUMT-X, is based on the highly successful MUMT-2 system, with its interoperability, reliability and record of meeting mission objectives.

L-3’s MUMT-X communications suite incorporates equipment, including a ROVER 6 modem, multiband Radio Frequency Equipment, and an innovative directional antenna capable of relaying multiple video streams back to the command center.

MUMT-X significantly increases the Apache aircrews’ situational awareness and combat effectiveness, while shortening decision-making timelines.

Work on this project is now underway, with completion anticipated in August 2017.