U.S. Navy awards contract to maintain TacNet missile datalink radios

The Naval Air Systems Command confirmed that it awarded a contract to Rockwell Collins to repair and reconfigure TacNet 1.0 datalink radios used on the Joint Standoff Weapon and Harpoon Block II+ missile systems.

The delivery order was issued on September 30, 2025 and listed in a federal award notice published March 6, 2026.

The work focuses on restoring and updating the communication units that allow certain U.S. Navy weapons to exchange data with aircraft and tactical networks. These systems help ensure that precision weapons launched by naval aircraft remain connected to the wider battlefield network.

According to the award notice, the contract was issued by the Precision Strike Weapons Program Office within Naval Air Systems Command. The delivery order, valued at $347,318.44, covers repairs and technical adjustments to TacNet 1.0 series datalink radios used by the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) and the Harpoon Block II+ anti-ship missile.

The contract was issued under an existing ordering agreement and awarded on a sole-source basis. Officials said Rockwell Collins was selected because it is the original manufacturer of the TacNet system and the only company with the technical data required to repair the equipment.

Supporting procurement documentation explains that the contract includes inspection, repair, and modification of government-owned TacNet radio units used in the missile systems. The work may also include identifying the cause of system failures and proposing corrective fixes when needed.

In simple terms, TacNet radios act as a communication bridge between a weapon and the aircraft or command network that launched it. This allows some modern weapons to remain connected to a tactical network even after they are fired.

While many older missiles operate independently after launch, newer systems increasingly rely on digital communication links that allow them to exchange information during a mission. These datalink systems can transmit targeting information, status updates, or navigation data between the weapon and its operator.

Because of their role in connecting weapons to military networks, these radios must function reliably under demanding conditions. They must survive high acceleration during launch, rapid changes in temperature, and intense vibration while maintaining secure communications.

The Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) is a glide weapon launched from aircraft that can strike targets from long distances without requiring pilots to fly directly over heavily defended areas. Once released, the weapon glides toward its target using satellite navigation and onboard guidance systems.

The Harpoon Block II+ missile is a long-range anti-ship weapon used by aircraft and naval platforms to engage maritime targets. The updated Block II+ version includes improved navigation systems and modern digital communications designed to integrate the missile into network-enabled operations.

Both weapons rely on reliable electronics and communication links to function as intended. If datalink systems fail, operators could lose the ability to interact with the weapon after launch.

Maintaining these systems therefore involves regular inspection, testing, and repair to ensure they remain ready for operational use.

Although contracts like this are relatively small compared with major weapons purchases, they play a critical role in sustaining modern military systems. Missiles, aircraft, and sensors all depend on networks that allow them to exchange data during operations.