DRS Technologies has been awarded a $8.3 million contract to produce and integrate digital communications systems that will modernize and improve the maintainability and supportability of Mariscal Sucre F-21 class Venezuelan frigates. Shipboard Integrated Communications (SHINCOM) 2100 systems will be installed on board the F-23, F-24, F-25 and F-26 frigates, which support anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare missions. The contract has duration of 26 months.

SHINCOM 2100 provides Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) based technology and reliability for tactical interior, exterior and secure circuits on board surface ships during complex joint operations, often involving communications with other airborne, surface, undersea and satellite platforms. Featuring a significant reduction in weight, space and power requirements, SHINCOM provides improved support, mission performance and ease-of-technology insertion benefits to navy customers.

The SHINCOM 2100 systems will provide Venezuelan surface combatants with single-button access to interior, exterior and secure circuits for point-to-point and conference networks for ship operations support teams.

These systems will improve tactical voice communications through audio enhancements and provide an expanded capacity for integrated radio channels, access to public address circuits and high-frequency (HF) e-mail communications. SHINCOM 2100 operates with a range of radios, telephones and recorders.