U.S. Air Force personnel conducting a large milsatcom protected communications test. Photo: USAF/ Staff Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes

[Via Satellite 08-12-2016] The U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) has awarded contracts to Raytheon Co. Space and Airborne Systems, L-3 Communication Systems and ViaSat for Protected Tactical Service Field Demonstrations (PTSFDs). PTSFD will demonstrate the ability to provide wideband anti-jam communications to tactical users using the Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) constellation and commercial satcom.

Raytheon’s cost-plus-incentive-fee contract is worth $39,951,691; L-3 Communications’ is worth $38,099,365, and ViaSat’s is $33,291,975. Each company is expected to complete the work by Sept. 30, 2020. The Air Force granted these awards as the result of a competitive acquisition that garnered five offers in total.