Raytheon's first AEHF SMART-T delivered to US Armed Forces

Raytheon's SMART-T

References: Raytheon (1,2), U.S. Army

News Report

As appeared in a recent press release, Raytheon fielded the first Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) Secure Mobile Anti-jam Reliable Tactical Terminal (SMART-T) satellite communications solution to the U.S. armed services.

The Product

The Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable Tactical–Terminal (SMART-T) is a mobile military satellite communication terminal mounted on a standard High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle.

SMART-T provides data rates up to 8.192 Mbps.

AEHF SMART-T increases the data rate of existing SMART-T systems by a factor of four.

SMART-T processes data and voice communications at both low and medium data rates. The terminal provides worldwide, anti-jam, low probability of intercept, secure voice, and data capabilities for the Joint warfighter. Its enhanced system interfaces include base-band interface changes, accommodating additional data rates. SMART-T is fielded at the brigade and division levels.

The AEHF SMART-T upgrade incorporates Raytheon's eXtended Data Rate (XDR) waveform hardware and software modifications. The new XDR waveform provides users with increased bandwidth and speed, enabling tactical military communications such as real-time video, battlefield mapping and targeting data.

The Context

Raytheon will field 364 AEHF SMART-T terminals to the U.S. armed services. An additional 19 systems will be fielded in Canada and seven in the Netherlands through 2015.

Raytheon's SMART-T software has been the genesis for other critical programs including the company's solution for the Navy's Multiband Terminal and the Air Force's production of the Minuteman Minimum Essential Emergency Communications Network program upgrade. It provides the services with essential, joint-interoperable capability for legacy EHF and future AEHF communications.

Comments

"Raytheon's latest SMART-T solution delivers the next generation of protected communications that's compatible with both EHF and AEHF satellites," said Scott Whatmough, vice president of Raytheon Network Centric Systems' Integrated Communications Systems. "AEHF SMART-T provides the end-user with more mission flexibility and increased capacity to transmit voice, data and video, providing increased situational awareness."

"The first fielding, along with success in similar SATCOM programs, demonstrates Raytheon's proven ability to work with our customers to deliver complex satellite communication systems utilizing multiple waveforms, on time and under budget," added Whatmough.

Further Readings

• SMART-T (pdf)