L3Harris' RASOR Revolutionizes Military Communications with Secure Satellite Broadband
L3Harris Technologies has developed a groundbreaking satellite-based radio system called RASOR. This innovation allows military aircraft to securely use commercial space broadband services like Airbnb. The US Air Force is currently considering mass production of RASOR terminals, while the system has already shown success in flight tests with SpaceX's Starlink and is set to support Amazon's Project Kuiper.
RASOR, developed under the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory's DEUCSI program since 2019, integrates multiple commercial satellite internet providers and military-owned networks into a single modular terminal. This system enables military aircraft to connect to various broadband constellations, including Starlink, Kuiper, or government tactical data links, with plans to adapt for Army ground vehicles as well.
L3Harris is collaborating with Amazon's Project Kuiper, ensuring RASOR will serve civil aviation platforms once Kuiper's constellation is operational. Currently, RASOR radios are in limited use with a few military customers, pending the US Air Force's final decisions on mass production. The Air Force's final decisions on RASOR are still pending, but the system's potential to revolutionize military communications is evident.
RASOR's successful flight tests and partnerships with major players like SpaceX and Amazon's Project Kuiper position it as a promising solution for secure military broadband connectivity. As the US Air Force's final decisions on mass production approach, RASOR could soon become a standard for military aircraft and ground vehicles, offering enhanced communication capabilities and adaptability to various satellite networks.
