Finmeccanica, through its Airborne and Space Systems division, has been awarded a contract by Pilatus Aircraft to provide airborne communications for the 49 PC-21 turboprop trainers recently acquired by the ADF.
The contract is the latest in a long-term partnership between the company and Pilatus Aircraft. The Swiss corporation has previously chosen Finmeccanica to equip PC-21 aircraft for use by Switzerland, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Designated RT-700/A, the new systems will provide voice and data communications in a small and lightweight package.
An ETSO-certified (European Technical Standard Order) military system, RT-700/A is able to communicate in the 30-470MHz range and can transmit and receive securely when connected to an external encryption unit.
Finmeccanica’s relationship with Australia is also long-standing. The company’s surveillance and information management system is on-board ten Customs Coastwatch maritime surveillance aircraft, helping secure Australia’s shore and territorial waters.
In a recent contract, Finmeccanica’s Seaspray 5000E radar was chosen to provide airborne search and rescue services for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. See the February edition of ADM for more on this capability.