Raytheon is to begin low-rate initial production of satellite communications terminals for use by senior military and civilian leaders.

LRIP production of the Family of Advanced Beyond Line of Sight Terminals, or FAB-T, program came in a Milestone C decision by the U.S. Air Force.

"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."

Raytheon said FAB-T provides access to command-and-control communication links to the Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite communications system. It allows the U.S. president, his senior military advisers and combatant commanders to receive and transmit voice, data, imagery and video to support various military operations.

Raytheon will produce both airborne and ground terminal variants, deliver spares and provide training, installation and logistical support for them under the exercised contract option a previously awarded contract.

The terminals will be manufactured at Raytheon's facility in Largo, Fla., with support from a Raytheon unit in Massachusetts.