U.S. Army Awards $460M Contract to BAE Systems for Helicopter Aviation Radio Sets

The U.S. Army has awarded BAE Systems a five-year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract valued at $460 million for the AN/ARC-231/A Multi-mode Aviation Radio Set (MARS).

This contract includes hardware components, repair services, engineering support, and development for rotary-wing aircraft.

The MARS system is engineered to operate in challenging environments, delivering secure, mission-critical information to warfighters. In today’s complex battlefields, effective communication is vital for making informed decisions. MARS’ programmability facilitates rapid adaptation to changing communication requirements, special mission modifications, and performance enhancements. Its software-defined radio design allows for the deployment of new capabilities via software-only upgrades.

The design of this airborne radio system enables the U.S. Army to modernize its rotary-wing fleet with secure waveforms tailored for specific missions.

The AN/ARC-231A MARS system includes the RT-1987 radio and necessary ancillary equipment, such as amplifiers and mounting bases. It represents the latest generation of multi-band, multi-mission airborne communications systems, featuring Type 1 Crypto Modernization. The system is designed for configurability, ensuring interoperability for joint force operations. Additionally, it supports foreign military sales and complies with international air traffic control communications and U.S. and NATO capabilities.