OREANDA-NEWS. The U.S. Air Force has cleared its Milestone C decision briefing allowing Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) to start low-rate initial production of communications terminals for the Family of Advanced Beyond Line of Sight Terminal (FAB-T) program.

The Milestone C review marks the beginning of the production phase of the program. Raytheon will produce both airborne and ground terminal variants, deliver spares and provide training, installation and logistical support, under an exercised contract option of the previously awarded production program.  

"Starting low-rate production is a significant achievement for the FAB-T program," said Scott Whatmough, vice president of Integrated Communications Systems for Raytheon's Space and Airborne Systems business. "Our focus during production will remain on delivering an affordable, reliable and capable solution that meets the requirements of this critically important mission."

FAB-T is a highly secure satellite communications terminal that allows the President of the United States, senior military advisers and combatant commanders to receive and transmit voice, data, imagery and video across the world to support various military operations.

The terminals, which provide access to and command and control communication links to the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite communications system, will be manufactured at Raytheon's facility in Largo, Florida. Raytheon's Marlborough, Massachusetts, site will also provide support.