NEW YORK - L-3 Communications has been awarded a $38.5 million contract from the Commonwealth of Australia to supply 51 Hawkeye III Lite 1.2-meter Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs), as well as training and long-term sustainment services. This program is one of a number of coordinated projects that will enable the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to deploy an integrated wideband satellite communications capability. Specifically, the contract will deliver one type of a family of transportable land terminals that will optimize the early use of Australia's satcom system and provide communication services where commercial satellite resources are limited. The capability is scheduled for delivery in 2014.
This contract is a significant win for L-3 in Australia, the company said, and demonstrates the cross-business synergy that exists between L-3 divisions, specifically L-3 Oceania and L-3 GCS. For this program, L-3 GCS developed and will supply the Hawkeye III systems, which will provide ARSTRAT-certified Ka- and X-band - as well as commercial Ku-band - capability in a very compact, fly-away package. L-3's Australian division, L-3 Oceania, is leading the execution of the contract, which includes system deliveries over a 12-month period, followed by an initial three-year sustainment program that engages other Australian subcontractors in the process.
