The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded General Dynamics Mission Systems a contract valued at $28 million for full production of URC-300E Emergency Transceiver Replacement (ETR) Kits to replace the legacy emergency backup radios. The General Dynamics Radio Frequency Products team has worked closely with the FAA Program Office in Washington, D.C., the FAA Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City and the FAA Tech Center in Atlantic City, N.J. to rigorously test the URC-300E Transceiver Kit. The team successfully passed the FAA’s stringent operational testing gate review process for the URC-300E to enter service within the National Aerospace System (NAS). The URC-300E provides significantly increased performance compared to the legacy PET-2000. Specifically, the radio supports both Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) bands for civil and military air traffic control communications in the event of a catastrophic failure, such as a facility fire or natural disaster.
“The successful development and qualification of these radios represents a true partnership with the FAA as we worked closely together to refine requirements, integrate best available technology, and incorporate critical operator feedback into the design,” said Rachel Oberc, General Dynamics Mission Systems vice president. “In passing the FAA’s strenuous certification process and incorporating numerous advancements in the radio, General Dynamics is confident that we have met the mark with the ETR kit.”
The URC-300E Transceiver is specifically designed to maximize radio frequency performance and enable users to operate multiple URC-300Es without interference – an unprecedented capability compared to currently available man-pack radios. The close proximity capability enables rapid grab-and-go and multi-channel operation during emergency situations. This enhanced technology, coupled with the radio’s ability to operate on standard lithium-ion batteries, essentially makes the radio “future proof,” resulting in significant time and life-cycle cost savings. The ETR indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract includes options to procure additional kits throughout the period of performance ending February 2029. A URC-300E ETR Kit contains the URC-300E Transceiver, speaker microphone, headset, AC/DC power converter, antenna, battery housing and the battery.
General Dynamics Mission Systems is a business unit of American defense and aerospace company General Dynamics. The company integrates secure communication and information systems and technology. General Dynamics Mission Systems has core manufacturing in secure communications networks; radios and satellite technology for the defense, cyber, public safety, and intelligence communities. General Dynamics Mission Systems was formed in January 2015 when General Dynamics combined the company’s C4 Systems and Advanced Information Systems. General Dynamics C4 Systems was originally owned by GTE and operated as GTE Government Systems. General Dynamics acquired GTE Government Systems in 1999. General Dynamics Mission Systems is a technology integrator and original equipment manufacturer with deep domain expertise in ground, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. Headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, General Dynamics Mission Systems employs more than 12,000 people worldwide.
