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Telecommunications equipment industry

Navy Upgrades USS LaSalle with Advanced Communications System for Bosnia Operations

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The U.S. Navy plans to significantly upgrade the USS LaSalle (AGF-3), the command ship for the U.S. 6th Fleet in Italy, with a major communications system to support operations in Bosnia. The new system, known as the Challenge Athena project, aims to provide high-speed data transmission to ships at sea, including imagery from national intelligence sources, video teleconferencing, and telemedicine. With President Clinton's approval of the FY '96 Defense Appropriations Act, the Navy has started planning the installation of the system, which has received enthusiastic support from the fleet. The antennas are being provided by Harris Corp., while Raytheon is installing the equipment on the ships.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Navy plans to equip the USS LaSalle (AGF-3) with a new antenna and terminals that tap into commercial satellites to provide high-speed data transmission to ships at sea.
  • The Challenge Athena project has received enthusiastic support from the fleet due to its ability to transmit data at high rates to ships at sea.
  • The initiative will provide imagery from national intelligence sources, video teleconferencing, and telemedicine to operational commanders.
  • The Navy has started planning the installation of the system, which is expected to be completed by early next year.
  • The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) and the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) command ship will also be outfitted with Challenge Athena.
  • The FY '96 budget includes funding to put Challenge Athena on seven carriers and three command and control ships.
  • The Navy has set a goal for its entire fleet to be capable of high data rate communications by 2003.

Statistics:

  • $41.4 million was approved for the Challenge Athena project in the FY '96 Defense Appropriations Act, including a plus-up of $14.4 million.
  • The Navy has enough funding to install 10 Challenge Athena systems, which will be installed on seven carriers and three command and control ships.
  • The USS LaSalle (AGF-3) is expected to be upgraded with the new system first, with installation scheduled to be completed by early next year.
  • The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) was used as a testbed for the Challenge Athena project last year.

Sources:

  • Defense Daily
  • "US Navy to Upgrade USS LaSalle With Advanced Communications System for Bosnia Operations"
  • "Navy's Challenge Athena to Provide High-Speed Data Transmission to Ships at Sea"
  • FY '96 Defense Appropriations Act

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