• The deal with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd will equip 49 PC-21 aircraft
• The end user is the Australian Defence Force. The systems will be used as part of the ADF’s Project Air 5428, the fixed-wing pilot training system
• The RT-700/A systems will provide secure voice and data communications

Finmeccanica, through its Airborne and Space Systems division, has been awarded a contract by Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. to provide airborne communications for the 49 PC-21 turboprop trainers recently acquired by the Australian Defence Force.

The contract is the latest in a long-term partnership between the company and Pilatus Aircraft. The Swiss corporation has previously chosen Finmeccanica to equip PC-21 aircraft for use by Switzerland, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Designated RT-700/A, the new systems will provide voice and data communications in a small and lightweight package. An ETSO-certified (European Technical Standard Order) military system, RT-700/A is able to communicate in the 30-470MHz range and can transmit and receive securely when connected to an external encryption unit.

Press release Finmeccanica