The United Kingdom (U.K.) Ministry of Defence (MoD) awarded L-3 Communications [LLL] a $23 million contracts to provide an unspecified amount of ROVER family of transceivers, the company said Monday.
The U.K.’s Joint Common Remote Viewing Terminal (JCRVT) will use the company’s Tactical Network ROVER handheld transceivers and ROVER 6i transceivers to integrate U.K. Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) platforms with strike capabilities and maritime platforms, L-3 said. The contract initial duration is four years with two three-year options.
This capability will enable the exchange of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) information, including full-motion video, across the battlespace using a wideband IP network.
The JCRVT solution is based on the ROVER product family and is designed to be interoperable with current U.K., U.S., and NATO ISTAR platforms. It is also interoperable with the U.K. AH-64 Apache E Block helicopter upgrade and P-8 maritime patrol aircraft.
“We have broad expertise in this interoperable, advanced communications technology, which will be a key component of the British Land Forces and Royal Navy’s future communications programs. The U.K. has always been a significant international market for L-3, and we look forward to expanding our partnerships and our footprint with new program positions like JCRVT,” Michael Strianese, L-3 chairman and CEO, said in a statement.
Contract work will be performed by L-3 System-West, part of the company’s broadband communications sector within its communication systems business segment.
L-3 is also partnering with the U.K.-based Ultra Electronics to be responsible for repair through an in-country support facility. The facility aligns with the MoD’s vision to provide a common support methodology for multiple users to reduce logistics and life-cyber support costs, the company said.