KC-135 Stratotanker: KINGSLEY FIELD, Ore. -- A formation of F-15 Eagles from the Oregon Air National Guard receive fuel from a Washington Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker during Exercise Sentry Eagle on Aug. 10th. Sentry Eagle is a biannual, two-day exercise held by the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing. The exercise emphasizes tactics for defending friendly airspace and assets from a variety of adversaries as well as exposing participants to multiservice military forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.)

The United States Air Force (USAF) has awarded a maintenance services contract estimated at $1.5 million to ORBIT Communication Systems, Inc. (USA), a subsidiary of Orbit Technologies Ltd. (TASE:ORBI), a provider of mission-critical connectivity solutions in a variety of markets, including satellite communications, tracking and telemetry, and communications management.

ORBIT will provide maintenance, repair and support services for its Airborne Digitally-Controlled Audio System (ADAS), currently installed on the USAF's KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircrafts for the next year. The USAF plans to gradually replace its aging fleet of KC-135 tankers with the Boeing KC-46 tankers, which are expected to enter service by 2017. The service contract with ORBIT will enable the USAF to ensure the continued high performance of their digital Communications Management Systems.

ORBIT's ADAS systems continue to provide the high performance, quality and reliability required by the USAF from their Communication Management Systems (CMS). Extending the operational lifetime of the KC-135 tankers required the extension of the service period related to these systems. The new agreement guarantees rapid and fixed turnaround time for servicing the CMS and by that assists the USAF to maintain the operational readiness of the KC-135 tankers until they are replaced.

"Communications management is mission-critical for our military customers, and we take pride in delivering high-quality and responsive service and support for our installed systems," said Avi Cohen, the President and CEO ORBIT Communication Systems, Ltd. "ORBIT is committed to providing the U.S. Air Force with maintenance services for our Communication Management Systems for as long as needed to meet the operational needs of their KC-135 fleet."

ORBIT's Communication Management Systems (CMS) portfolio features flexible and robust systems used to manage the complex voice, video and data communication on board mobile platforms (airborne, seaborne and ground applications). These systems include a digital switch that seamlessly integrates the routing and distribution of inbound and outbound communication on board the mobile platform, as well as an intercom that can be used among crew members, maintenance personnel and technicians.