The U.S. Navy awarded Harris Corp. [HRS] a five-year contract that will provide the Multi-Band Shipboard Satellite Communications Terminal System for the Navy’s Arleigh Burke DDG-51 class destroyers. Naval officials hope this communication advancement throughout the fleet will maintain a seamless line of information exchange vital for combat success during times of conflict.

Under the terms of the $111 million contract, Harris is responsible for systems integration, production and logistics support. The terminal system upgrade will enhance the ship’s communications capability by integrating military X-band and commercial C-band dual-antenna terminals for providing satellite-based, voice, video and data communications. Once the system is in place, it can be upgraded to operate through the military Ka-band and commercial L- and Ku-band frequencies.

“These cutting-edge advances in battlespace communications will ensure that the U.S. Navy and other U.S. forces remain at the forefront of network-centric warfare well into the 21st Century,” said Bob Henry, president of Harris Government Communications Systems Division. Likewise, Henry added that this contract positions Harris as a significant player in multi-band satcom terminals for the entire Defense Department.

On a related project, Harris is developing the Tactical Common Data Link Hawklink technology development and demonstration program for the Navy. Once complete, the Ku-band communications link between the destroyers and their reconnaissance helicopters will transmit data and imagery from the helicopter’s sensors to be sent to the ship for analysis in near real-time.