The U.S. Navy recently began installation of an Organic Depot at Fleet Readiness Center South West (FRCSW) in San Diego, CA, for the digital high-frequency radios used in the P-3 Orion Aircraft. Installation will take place from 2010-2012.

According to Danny Hartwell, P-3 Critical Obsolescence Program (COP) Team Lead in Patuxent River, MD, “our team was responsible for replacing a system that was costly and time consuming. We were required to replace the system organically - meaning the maintenance depot where repairs take place should be Government owned and operated. The Fleet will no longer send their high-frequency radios back to the Original Equipment Manufacturer, Rockwell Collins. FRCSW will be able to do all necessary repairs.” Contract and Support Equipment (SE) support for this program was provided by the NAVAIR Lakehurst P-3 SE Team.

The ARC-243 high-frequency radio being maintained at the FRCSW will replace the Army/Navy Piloted ARC-161 analog radio on the P-3 Orion. This is the same system that will be used for the Navy’s P-8A Poseidon Aircraft scheduled for Initial Operational Capability in 2013.

High-frequency radio provides instant over-the-horizon communications without the use of satellites. Radio waves tend to travel in straight lines which can limit the detection range to objects on their horizon due to the curvature of the earth. High-frequency radio broadcasts its signal upward toward the ionosphere; it is then reflected back toward the ground allowing the signal to be transmitted beyond the horizon. When a satellite is unavailable, high-frequency radio operators can maintain communications across the country and around the world.

Radio operators must continuously monitor and make adjustments based on atmospheric conditions. This adjustment was performed manually by turning knobs to achieve the correct frequency. The new digital high-frequency radio has a menu driven interface which simplifies the process. This menu interface system allows the operator to preset up to 20 channels. The channels can be further enhanced by editing the power level, receiving and transmitting frequency, audio mode, submode, and channel title. The system is also equipped with a call option similar to a paging device that allows a ground station to alert an aircrew that they wish to communicate.

According to Carlos Normandia, FRCSW Logistics Support, “Organic Depots are equipped with the infrastructure, training, engineering, and logistical support for a wide range of components. They specialize in maintenance, repair and overhaul for both the Navy and Marine Corps.”

Once the Organic Depot at FRCSW comes online sometime in 2011, it will be capable of maintaining, testing, and repairing the high-frequency radios installed in the P-3 Orion.