Finmeccanica To Provide Airborne Communications For 49 Australian PC-21 Turboprop Trainers

Finmeccanica has been awarded a contract from Pilatus to provide airborne communications for 49 PC-21 turboprop trainers recently acquired by the Australian Defense Force.

Designated RT-700/A, the new systems will provide voice and data communications in a small and lightweight package. An ETSO-certified (European Technical Standard Order) military system, RT-700/A is able to communicate in the 30-470MHz range and can transmit and receive securely when connected to an external encryption unit, the company said in a statement Thursday.

Pilatus has previously chosen Finmeccanica to equip PC-21 aircraft for use by Switzerland, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Finmeccanica’s surveillance and information management system is on-board ten Australian Customs Coastwatch maritime surveillance aircraft. In a recent contract, Finmeccanica’s Seaspray 5000E radar was chosen to provide airborne search and rescue services for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

Meanwhile, the company’s TETRA networks and ATEX terminals ensure safe communications for Australia’s transportation, mining and oil & gas industries.