Boeing completed software qualification testing and systems integration testing for the Family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals it is developing for the Air Force, announced the company. It also integrated the terminals with the mission control system for Advanced Extremely High Frequency and Milstar military communications satellites, states the company’s Jan. 29 release. “With these significant achievements, Boeing has demonstrated via formal software qualification testing and informal system-level integration testing that the Boeing design meets FAB-T’s functional and performance requirements,” said Paul Geery, the company’s FAB-T program manager. He added, “We’ve also demonstrated AEHF spacecraft control, which is critical to FAB-T’s mission. Our effort is the only industry offering that has demonstrated this capability.” Raytheon is also maturing a FAB-T design for the Air Force as a potential alternate supplier under a contract awarded last September. AEHF and Milstar satellites will relay FAB-T communications once these terminals, both ground-based and airborne, are operational. FAB-T hardware will support the command and control of US nuclear forces. (See also Boeing Completes FAB-T Design Review.)
Competitors Not Picked for CCA Look Forward to Increment 2
April 25, 2024
While none of the major aircraft contractors were selected to develop the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, all three say they are seeking further autonomous aircraft work for the Navy, foreign partners, or in the classified arena, and maybe future versions of the CCA itself.