BAE Systems’ New FireNet™ Transceiver Completes Successful Capability Demonstration for Rotary Wing Aircraft

Rhea-AI Summary

BAE Systems has successfully demonstrated its FireNet™ software-defined communication transceiver, enhancing rotary wing aircraft capabilities. The demonstration showcased FireNet’s ability to provide a unified tactical network for Joint All Domain Operations (JADO). Designed to meet U.S. Army Aviation Branch needs, the system offers narrow-band, wide-band, and Link-16 capabilities, ensuring secure communication. BAE's FireNet system aims to support real-time data exchange, improve situational awareness, and facilitate integration with existing aircraft. Development will occur at the company's Fort Wayne, Indiana site.

Positive

• Successful demonstration of FireNet™ communication transceiver, enhancing rotary wing aircraft capabilities.
• FireNet system provides a unified tactical network for Joint All Domain Operations (JADO).
• Designed to meet U.S. Army Aviation Branch's needs with narrow-band, wide-band, and Link-16 capabilities.
• Supports real-time data exchange, improving situational awareness for warfighters.

Negative

• None.

FORT WAYNE, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BAE Systems successfully completed a capability demonstration of its FireNet^TM software-defined communication transceiver. The demonstration displayed the FireNet system’s additional channel capabilities for rotary wing aircraft – providing our armed forces with a unified tactical network and enabling Joint All Domain Operations (JADO).

The FireNet system uniquely addresses the U.S. Army Aviation Branch’s channel capacity and waveform needs. (Photo: BAE Systems)

“Military operations will increasingly occur in network-centric environments that demand greater bandwidth and network diversity to manage the immense amount of information at hand,” said Alan Dewar, director of Integrated Communication Solutions at BAE Systems. “Our FireNet system delivers large volumes of accurate, reliable information exchanged in real-time, allowing warfighters to maintain situational awareness and stay connected.”

The FireNet system uniquely addresses the U.S. Army Aviation Branch’s channel capacity and waveform needs with low cost, size, weight, and power demands. The system’s additional narrow-band, wide-band, and Link-16 capabilities provide rotary wing aircraft with a unified tactical network that’s Crypto Modernization ready. Allied and coalition defense operators using Link 16 military tactical data link terminals are required to update those terminals to a new cryptographic subsystem by 2022.

Designed for current and future fleets, this modular open-system architecture solution also enables additional line-of-sight voice, data, and network communications from very high frequency to S-Band. The FireNet system maximizes flexibility with a small, standardized footprint, minimizing integration effort for existing aircraft. It augments existing radio installations with a concurrent four-channel capability in a two-channel configuration.

BAE Systems’ communications products span airborne, maritime, and ground applications in the high frequency to ultra-high frequency spectrums. The company’s battle-proven systems offer demonstrated reliability, lowering overall system cost. These systems also feature multi-band, secure anti-jam voice, data imagery transmission, and network-capable communications.

BAE Systems is a leader in narrowband and broadband communication technologies, with more than two decades of core expertise in the radio market. The company’s Common Datalink radio family of products merges the latest generation wideband, high speed hardware, and software technologies to provide warfighters with the communication solutions they need in the modern battlefield.

Work on the FireNet system will take place at the company’s Fort Wayne, Ind. site.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211130005113/en/

Shelby Cohen, BAE Systems

Mobile: 607-658-6687

shelby.cohen@baesystems.com

www.baesystems.com/US

@BAESystemsInc

Source: BAE Systems

FAQ

What is the FireNet™ system developed by BAE Systems?

FireNet™ is a software-defined communication transceiver designed to enhance communication capabilities for rotary wing aircraft.

When was the FireNet™ capability demonstration completed?

The capability demonstration of FireNet™ was successfully completed recently, although the exact date isn't specified in the press release.

How does the FireNet system benefit military operations?

The FireNet system enhances military operations by providing a unified tactical network, enabling real-time data exchange and improved situational awareness.

Where will the development of the FireNet system take place?

Development of the FireNet system will occur at BAE Systems’ site in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

What are the capabilities of the FireNet system?

The FireNet system offers narrow-band and wide-band capabilities, along with Link-16 functionalities, to meet communication needs.