The AN/ARC-232A MXF-4058 from BAE Systems is a multi-mode airborne radio communication system designed for tactical air-to-air and air-to-ground operations across fixed- and rotary-wing platforms. It operates across 30–87.975 MHz (VHF low band), 108–173.975 MHz (VHF high band), and 225–399.975 MHz (UHF), with expandability up to 2 GHz for extended mission capability. Built on a software-defined radio (SDR) architecture, it supports AM and FM modulation with 8.33, 5, and 25 kHz channel spacing and provides up to 99 programmable channels. The transmitter delivers up to 10 W in AM mode and 20 W in FM mode, enabling reliable voice and data communications in demanding airborne environments.
Designed with growth capacity for future waveform and capability enhancements, the AN/ARC-232A integrates external cryptographic units and supports secure communications using commercial AES and DS-102 standards. Advanced operational features such as automatic direction finding (ADF), cross-banding, and repeater/retransmit modes enhance mission flexibility and interoperability. The system supports remote control via RS-422 and optional Ethernet interfaces and is housed in a rugged enclosure suitable for harsh military environments, making it well suited for secure, mission-critical tactical communications.
