Armada oct nov 2013 compendium radio

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I n early-July 2013 the Strategy Analyticsconsultancy company based in theUnited States predicted good news forthe global military tactical

communications market. Its GroundCommunications Systems andComponents Forecast 2012-2022 predicted

that the market will grow at a rate of 7.2percent annually, reaching up to $4.5billion by the end of the forecast period.The report added that handheldtransceivers will constitute the bulk of themarket, encompassing 49 percent of themarket value, and 94 percent of shipments.This is perhaps unsurprising given thatarmies will tend to always have far morehandheld sets in their possession and on

order, compared to vehicular or fixed-sitetransceivers. In addition, although single-band radios will still be in demand, theanalysis predicts that the demand formultiband radios, i.e. which can cover the3-30 Megahertz (Mhz) High Frequency(HF), 30-300Mhz Very High Frequency(VHF) and 300-3000Mhz Ultra HighFrequency (UHF) sections of the spectrumwill increase. Despite the squeeze ondefence spending being witnessed in theUnited States at present, the country is stillpredicted to be the biggest spender ontactical radio products despite theextensive reorganization of the erstwhileJoint Tactical Radio System (JTRS)initiative.

I JTRSIndeed, undoubtedly one of the biggestupsets in the tactical radios world over thepast twelve months has been the extensiverestructuring of the United States’ JointTactical Radio System (JTRS). The rationalebehind the JTRS programme was to replacea host of disparate radios in use across thecountry’s armed forces with a family of

The Golden Ageof WirelessThe global tactical radio market seems to be in goodhealth, despite slowdowns in defence spending,particularly in Europe and the United States. Newproducts are entering the domain, while severalimportant programmes are moving steadily forward.

Tom Withington

Compendium Radios 2013

The Rifleman Radio has entered low-rate initialproduction and is one of the surviving elements of theerstwhile Joint Tactical Radio System programme.The AN/PRC-154 radio is being produced both byGeneral Dynamics and Thales. (US Army)

software-defined radios (SDRs) whichwould use a set of waveforms to performtheir specific functions, as opposed tohaving a large, diverse range of radios acrossplatforms and personnel which would notneatly intermesh with one another.

The JTRS was to be developed under theauspices of its own Joint Program ExecutiveOffice (JPEO) which had been established in2005 to manage to the various elements ofthe JTRS programme. These included thenow-defunct Ground Mobile Radio(GMR), the Handheld, Manpack and SmallForm Fit (HMS), the Airborne, Maritimeand Fixed Station (AMF) radios, theMultifunction Information DistributionSystem (MIDS) and the Network EnterpriseDomain (NED).

As discussed below, the Ground MobileRadio has now been replaced by the Multi-tier Networking Vehicular Radio (MNVR),although the HMS initiative has survived.In addition, the AMF and MIDS workstrands have also avoided the axe, althoughit is of note that these respectiveprogrammes have now been transferred tothe auspices of the services. For example,

the HMS and AMF projects are now underthe supervision of the US Army, along withthe MNVR programme, with the MIDSwork falling under the purview of the USNavy. The NED work strand, meanwhile,has been renamed as the Joint TacticalNetwork (JTN) programme and is nowunder the responsibility of the newly-established Joint Tactical NetworkingCentre (JTNC), which is responsible forensuring that the waveforms andtechnology developed as a consequence ofthe JTRS programme, and which arecontinuing development, can interoperatewith one another as per the original spirit ofthe programme. The JTNC is also taskedwith developing the waveforms that thefuture communications systems beingprocured will use. In essence, while theformal JTRS programme may now be deadand buried a significant quantity of theprogramme’s original scope lives on.

For the US Army, even with the

restructuring of the JTRS programme, theprocurement of its future communicationsremains a major undertaking. Up to120,000 handheld radios, which fall underthe auspices of the HMS undertaking havestill to be procured. This will occur underthe full-rate production phase of theRifleman Radio project (see below). Inaddition the service has to acquire 68,000manpack transceivers and up to 2,000vehicular systems as part of the MNVRscheme, not to mention the potentialacquisition of up to 7,000 networkingradios for airborne forces. All in all, thiscould generate a bill of up to $750 million.

Concerning the Rifleman Radio, so far,two low-rate initial production projectshave seen 19,327 Thales/GeneralDynamics AN/PRC-154 Rifleman Radiosbeing ordered as part of the original HMSelement. A similar LRIP has seen GeneralDynamics and Rockwell Collins tapped for3,726 AN/PRC-155 manpacks. The

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The US Army’s Ground Mobile Radio element of the JTRS programme, which was being led byBoeing, has now been cancelled and reborn as the Multi-tier Networking Vehicular Radioprogramme, with several companies posed to offer solutions to meet this requirement. (US Army)


Rifleman radio has survived the demise ofthe US armed forces JTRS initiative, alongwith several other facets of thatprogramme discussed in this article.Although thousands of AN/PRC-154 setsare currently being procured, the US Armyis re-opening the Rifleman procurement.This will see a number of companies liningup to provide the army with new radios asthe Rifleman programme moves towardsfull rate production. Contenders includeHarris, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systemsand ITT Exelis, in addition to Thales andGeneral Dynamics. Contracts for theRifleman full rate production and the fullrate production for the manpack radios areexpected to be awarded in 2014.

To truly comprehend the JTRSprogramme, one needs to understand alittle about the system it will replace,namely the Single Channel Ground andAirborne Radio System (Sincgars), and theSoldier Radio Waveform (SRW) andWideband Networking Waveform(WNW).

The Sincgars is not a specific brand oftransceiver but instead refers to a range ofradios in use with the United States armedforces, and with a number of Allied nationswhich are configured to use the Sincgarsprotocol. The use of this protocol enablesinteroperability between Sincgars-equipped nations. The Sincgars effectivelyprovides the basis to the philosophy whichunderpinned the JTRS programme.Sincgars radios handle voice and datacommunications across 25khz channels inthe VHF range. These radios are available invehicular, manpack, airborne andhandheld configurations and can performboth single-frequency and frequency-hopping transmissions, the latter beingperformed at 111 hops-per-second. BothITT Exelis and General Dynamics were,and remain, heavily involved in theSincgars programme. In fact, ITT Exelis (or‘ITT’ as the company was then known),won the contract in November 1983 for thefirst Sincgars radio to equip ground troops,with General Dynamics being awarded afurther ground radio contract in July 1988.

The new radios which will be procured viathe erstwhile JTRS programme willsupport the Sincgars waveform. This iscrucial as it will enable soldiers using theselegacy systems to communicate with theircounterparts equipped with the newsystems. It will also allow those US alliesequipped with Sincgars radios to do thesame thing. Therefore, although Sincgarswas originally designed to replace theVietnam-era radios used by the Americansthere, it remains a very important tacticalradio system. In fact, the United States isexpected to retain the Sincgars in use untilcirca 2030 as it introduces its newreplacement radios. This underlines justhow important interoperability is betweenthe ex-JTRS and Sincgars domains.

While the Sincgars provided a quantumleap in connectivity and security on thebattlefield, it was primarily designed as avoice radio. During the Cold War when themain threat to Nato was the spectre of RedArmy troops dashing through the Fulda

Gap and Hof Corridor this was not deemeda problem. However the so-called‘Revolution in Military Affairs’ theory onthe supremacy of technological power onthe battlefield – which evolved in the 1970sand 1980s, but which had gainedprominence in the 1990s and the post-ColdWar era – served to increasingly heightenthe importance of the distribution of dataand imagery on the battlefield. The SoldierRadio Waveform (SRW), developed as partof the JTRS programme, is a reflection ofthis phenomenon. In essence, the SRWprovides mobile ad hoc data and voicecommunications in the hands of theindividual soldier.

The challenge behind its developmentwas to provide a secure and highbandwidth means of communicationwhich could survive the rigours of thebattlefield, and most importantly attemptsto disrupt communications, and stillfunction. This had to be achieved using lowpower, small and lightweight radios. It is arule of thumb in communications thatmuch can be achieved with huge amountsof power and lots of circuitry. As thecivilian mobile phone world has illustrated,slimming down from a 1980s brick-sizedmobile into a trim smartphone can be quitea challenge, and quite a cost. The SRW isbeing rolled out across the US armed forcesin a series of software increments, whichallows the new SRW standards to be easilyported into radios as and when they aredeveloped, in a similar fashion to asoftware upgrade for a civilian cellphone.

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“As the civilian mobilephone world has

illustrated, slimmingdown from a 1980s

brick-sized mobile intoa trim smartphone canbe quite a challenge”

The AN/VRC-89 is one of the US Army’sSINCGARS radios. This vehicular 50W radio

can provide both long-range and short-rangecommunications. It can operate two nets

simultaneously and has a dual radioconfiguration using a single-vehicle mount.

(US DoD)


For all intents and purposes, the SRW‘links upwards’ to the WidebandNetworking Waveform (WNW). Whereasthe SRW has spectrum allotments of1.2Mhz to move its voice, imagery and datatraffic, the WNW supports similarallotments, but can also support allotmentsof three or five megahertz, and even 30megahertz when available. This translatesinto a higher throughput of traffic.Whereas individual soldiers are theprimary users of the SRW, the WNW isdesigned to provide a communicationsbackbone knitting together ground and airplatforms. Because such platforms tend tohave more power and more space, this cantranslate into higher quantities of voice,data and imagery traffic which their radioscan handle.

I BAE SYSTEMSThis British-based defence company,which has a major presence in NorthAmerica, is heavily involved an importantelement of the erstwhile JTRS programme.In particular, the firm has developed theWideband Networking Waveform AntiJam (WNW-AJ) mode. BAE Systemsrecently demonstrated the anti-jam mode ofthe WNW using the firms’ own Phoenixradios during a test performed at Joint BaseMcGuire-Dix-Lakehurst whichdemonstrated that these radios couldsecurely communicate with one another

across rugged terrain. The Phoenix family includes the Phoenix-

SC, Phoenix-2C and Phoenix-4C. Designedas MNVRs, these radios can port not onlyexisting waveforms, but waveforms expectedto become available in the future. ThePhoenix-SC accommodates two channels forWNW and SRW communications, the latterof which is used by dismounted troops toconnect them to a network, plus two Sincgarschannels. This enables the radio to link withexisting transceivers running Sincgars-compatible waveforms, while also runningthe WNW and SRW waveforms developed asa result of JTRS. This therefore provides auseful linkage between legacy and future USand Allied tactical radios. The Phoenix-2C,meanwhile, provides two channels for WNWand SRW communications, with thePhoenix-4C supporting the same waveforms,but via four channels.

I BARRETTIn December 2012, Australia’s BarrettCommunications announced that it had received certification and approval

from the United States NationalTelecommunications and InformationAdministration (NTIA) which completesinteroperability requirements to allowBarrett’s 2050HF transceiver, 2020 fax anddata product, and 2060HF telephoneinterconnect system to be acquired andused by governmental or commercialbodies in the United States. The company’s2050HF transceiver covers the 1.6-30Megahertz (Mhz) frequency spread, and iscertified to Military Standard 188-141B(Mil-Std-188-141B) for Automatic LinkEstablishment. Optional frequencyhopping can be installed in the transceiverto enhance security, and the system alsomeets Mil-Std-810G for resistance toshock, vibration, dust ingress and drop. Upto 500 programmable channels areincluded, and it can operate intemperatures of -30°C up to +70°C.

The 2050HF transceiver is one of threesuch products manufactured by BarrettCommunications. The firms’ 2030HF SSBtransceiver has an HF transmit frequencyrange of 1.6-30Mhz, and a reception rangeof 250 kilohertz (Khz) to 30Mhz. The radiohas up to 500 programmable channels andcan work in similarly harsh temperaturesto the 2050HF. Like the latter product, the2030HF can include optional frequencyhopping which it can achieve at a rate offive or 25 hops-per-second when using anexternal synchronization unit. It also

The Multi-tier Networking Vehicular Radio(MNVR) initiative succeeds the erstwhileGround Mobile Radio element of the JTRSprogramme. Harris is one company which iscontesting this requirement. Up to 2,000radios could be acquired via the MNVRprogramme. (Harris)

06 Compendium Radios 2013

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complies to Mil-Std-810 regulations.Barrett’s 2060HF manpack has similartransmit and receive frequencies to the twotransceivers discussed above, and can hostup to 500 simplex or semi-duplex channels.

I CODANFollowing Codan’s launch of its Envoy SDRHF radios in June 2012, the company hasbegun shipping transceivers. When it wasreleased Codan stated that the Envoy was;“the most advanced commercial HF radio

in the world.” Several standard features areincluded on the Envoy, such as AutomaticLink Establishment; high-speed datatransmissions and reception; a built-inGlobal Positioning System and encryption.Moreover, the radio can be optimized for base station, mobile and deployedoperations. Ease of operation has beenbuilt into the Envoy with the addition of anicon-based user interface in a similarfashion to that which can be found oncivilian smartphones. An Internet Protocol

(IP) interface makes it easy to integrate theEnvoy into established communicationsnetworks. Although the destination of thefirst shipments of Envoy radios was notrevealed by Codan, the firm did announcethat the transceivers commenced deliveriesin December 2012.

I DATRONWhile the restricting and onward march of the United States’ overarching military communications modernizationprogramme formally known as JTRS (see above), was in evidence last year, it was revealed that Datron WorldCommunications’ PRC-7700HH HFtactical manpack radio had received JointInteroperability Test Command (JITC)

Barrett Communications has been awardedcertification by authorities in the United Statesfor a range of its HF systems. This clears theway for their operation by Americangovernment and commercial customers.(Barrett Communications)

Launched amid muchinterest in 2012,Codan has begun toship production Envoyradios. Billed by thecompany as the mostadvanced HF radioavailable, it uses anicon-based interfaceto ease its operation,much as can befound on civiliansmartphones.(Codan)


certification. In particular this certified the radio to MIL-STD-188-141B. Whatthis means in practice is that the radiomeets interoperability and performancerequirements for medium- and high-frequency radios particularly as regards to Automatic Link Establishment. Datron’s PRC-7700H is an HF SDR which can be used as a fixed site, or as amanpack radio. It has a transmit power ofup to 25W and supports both voice anddata communications.

I EIDPortugal’s EID was celebrating the news inJuly 2013 that it had been contracted by thearmed forces of Bangladesh to supply CD-116 Digital Field Switchboards which willsupport the Bangladeshi Army’s tacticalcommunications system. The CD-116 isdesigned for networks carrying voice anddata traffic. It can manage a number ofdiverse communications systems. Thesecan include analogue telephones, combatnet radios, analogue and digital publiccommunications networks, and digitalterminals carrying voice and data traffic.

I ELBIT SYSTEMSMaintaining a prominent presence at lastyear’s Eurosatory exhibition in Paris,Israel’s Elbit Systems is promoting itstactical radios which are designed to meet awide range of user requirements. Duringthe show, the firm showcased its PNR-1000A, SDR-7200HH, SDR-7200, MIPRand CNR-9000HDR; all of which are

marketed under the company’s Tadiranproduct line. The PNR-1000A covers theVHF/UHF 225-512Mhz range and isdesigned as a full duplex personal radio fordismounted soldiers. Three power outputsare achievable with the set namely settingsof 0.5, 1W and 2W. Although the radio has adata rate of up to 320 kilobits-per-second(kbps), this is expected to increase to 1

Afghan Army personnel receive instruction regarding the care and maintenance of Datron tactical radios. The firm’s PRC-7700HH set was recently awarded certification from the US Joint Interoperability Test Command regarding Mil-Std-188-141B. (US DoD)

EID in Portugal is celebratingits 30th Anniversary this year.The company’s PRC-525Combat Net Radio is amultiband system covering theHF, VHF and UHF bands. It canhandle data at a rate of72kbps. (EID)

megabit-per-second (mbps) in the future.Battery power provides sufficientoperation for up to 20 hours’ use, and theradio can function in temperatures of -30°C up to +65°C.

Elbit’s SDR-7200HH is, like the PNR-1000A, a handheld, software-defined radio.It can offer simultaneous voice and video, orvoice and data communications using asingle 25khz narrowband channel.Covering the HF/VHF/UHF 30-512Mhzrange, the SDR-7200HH providescommunications security and a highdegree of resistance to countermeasures.The radio is SCA-2.2 standard compliant

and includes both narrowband (30-512Mhz) and wideband (225-512Mhz)waveforms in the radio’s repository. Whenusing the narrowband waveform, the radiocan move 115kbps but this increases to1mbps when the wideband waveform isutilized. A built-in GPS is included to aidblue force tracking, and the company saysthat this radio is interoperable with legacyTadiran transceivers. All of thisfunctionality is enclosed in a packageweighing 650 grams, including the battery,which provides 14 hours’ operation.

The SDR-7200HH’s sister product, theSDR-7200, is a vehicular software-defined

radio. Simultaneous voice and data trafficcan be handled by the SDR-7200 which hasa narrow waveband of 25Khz to handle upto 115kbps, in a similar fashion to the SDR-7200HH discussed above. SCA-2.2compliant, the SDR-7200 uses frequencyhopping to preserve security and can portboth current, and future, waveforms.Meanwhile, the company’s MIPR (MilitaryIP Radio) has been designed to providehigh-speed broadband communicationsservices on the battlefield, handling up to13.3mbps of traffic to this end. This allowsreal-time delivery of voice, imagery anddata communications across the L-band,although there is the option to also use theradio for U, S and C-bandcommunications. An embedded GPS isincluded along with AES-256 standardencryption, jammer rejection andfrequency hopping security. MIPR has aflexible channel bandwidth of between0.4Mhz up to 400Mhz, and it produces tenwatts of output power. Both line-of-sightand non-line-of-sight connectivity can beachieved with MIPR, even at speeds of up to300 kilometres-per-hour.

Last, but by no means least, the CNR-9000HDR is a family of VHF transceiverswhich provide data, voice and imagerycommunications. The radios cover the 30-88Mhz range, although with an option forthis to be increased to 108Mhz. Each radiocontains up to 100 preset channels, and canscan up to four pre-selected channels withthe radios providing both fixed-frequencyand frequency-hopping communications.In its manpack configuration (PRC-930HDR), the radio has a power output of0.25W or ten watts. Similar output isobtainable with the ARC-920HDRairborne radio, while the vehicular andbase station VRC-950HDR, VRC-980HDRand VRC-990HDR sets can deliver 0.25W,10W and 20W of output.

I ELEKTROBITTactical communications for the Finnisharmed forces took an important stepforward with Elektrobit fulfilling deliveriesof the first elements of the Finnish DefenceForces’ new Tactical Wireless InternetProtocol (TWIP) network. The companyhad signed a contract for the TWIP in 2011and its introduction will enable the FinnishArmy to develop Mobile Ad Hoc Networks(MANETs) via the employment of stand-alone wireless broadband networks. This isan important consideration for the Finnish

Elbit System’s CNR-9000HDR VHF transceivers are produced in several versions includingmanpack, airborne and vehicular versions. The radio has an output power of between 0.25W orten watts and can handle voice, imagery and data communications. (Elbit Systems)


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armed forces given the inhospitable andisolated areas which characterize someparts of Finland.

I GENERAL DYNAMICSIn America, tactical radio specialistGeneral Dynamics has certified and portedthe Mobile User Objective System (Muos)and integrated waveform into the USNavy’s AN/USC-61 Digital Modular Radio.By adding the Muos waveform to theAN/USC-61, this radio can now access theMuos next-generation narrowbandsatellite communications system whichwill facilitate global high-speed voice anddata communications. The Muos hasalready been applied to the company’sAN/PRC-155 manpack radio. TheIntegrated Waveform, meanwhile,improves the performance ofcommunications networks hosted bysatellite constellations.

General Dynamics was contracted toinstall the Muos waveform in the AN/PRC-155 as this greatly increases theperformance of these manpack radios byadding a satcom capability alongside theSRW and WNW waveforms which theAN/PRC-155 already hosts, plus its legacySincgars capabilities. The AN/PRC-155manpack has two channels which enablestroops to run one waveform, such as theSRW on one channel, while the second

channel can be used to connect withcomrades on another network, perhapsusing one of the Sincgars waveforms, forexample. The addition of Muos to theAN/PRC-155 allows users to not onlyconnect with others in their locale, but alsoto reach thousands of miles from theirlocation given that the Muos waveformbounces off a satellite constellation.Crucially, the Muos waveform boastsspeeds up to ten times faster than thoseachievable using existing Department ofDefense UHF satcom networks. The USArmy tasked General Dynamics to roll theMuos upgrade onto 100 AN/PRC-155transceivers. Tests have already occurreddemonstrating the abilities of these radiosto perform radio-to-radio voice and datacommunications using the Muoswaveform across an orbiting Muos satellite.The company claimed that this marked thefirst such occasion during which tacticalradios had communicated with oneanother suing both the Muos waveformand constellation.

The initial order for the AN/PRC-155

manpack was made by the US Army inNovember 2012. Worth $306 million theorder calls for the delivery of up to 3,726examples, split between General Dynamicsand Harris, to equip several US ArmyBrigade Combat Teams. Deliveries of theAN/PRC-155 to the army commenced thesame month as the order. This was becauseGeneral Dynamics had alreadycommenced production of this radio, andaccompanying vehicle integration systemsin anticipation of the contract. However,the November 2012 order does notrepresent the first order of the AN/PRC-155. In July 2011, the US Army made aninitial purchase of 100 AN/PRC-155s. Asnoted above, the Department of Defense isexpected to open the Full Rate Productionportion of the manpack element of theHMS programme to competition.

Moreover, the US Army’s 4th BrigadeCombat Team (4th BCT) is now using theIncrement-2 release of the company’sWarfighter Information Network-Tactical(WIN-T), which has included thedeployment of WIN-T to Afghanistan. Asorders stand at present, the US Army hasrequested 532 WIN-T nodes. The WIN-TIncrement-2 provides a secure backbonebetween troops and their commanders at the company level. In addition,commanders can link to higher echelonsdirectly from their vehicle. Both the

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General Dynamics is one of the co-producersof the US Army's AN/PRC-154 Rifleman Radiowhich is being fielded throughout the force.Note the wrist-mounted device that the soldierhas connected to their radio to enable ease ofuse. (General Dynamics)


AN/PRC-154 Rifleman and AN/PRC-155manpack radios can connect to the WIN-T network. WIN-T was essentiallyconceived to provide digitalcommunications to mobile and highlydispersed forces. Increment-1 of WIN-Tprovides at-the-halt networking via theprovision of voice, data and imagerycommunications. The attraction is thattroops using WIN-T Increment-1 canperform instant communications whenstationary without having to set up all oftheir necessary communications equipmenton each occasion. Unsurprisingly, given thesignificant ranges at which WIN-T isintended to operate, ̀ forms a key part of itsarchitecture.

Increment-2 adds communications on-the-move from division to company levelsusing an ad-hoc self-forming and self-healing network. As noted above, GeneralDynamics is furnishing the US Army withthe AN/PRC-154 Rifleman radio alongsideThales. The firm received an additionalorder for up to 13,000 additional sets inAugust 2012 worth $53.9 million. Like theAN/PRC-155 radios, the Rifleman is beingdelivered to US Army infantry brigadecombat teams.

General Dynamics, alongside Harris(quod vide), is providing SRW Appliquétactical radios to the US Army. In July2013, the firm was awarded a contract for287 unclassified SRW Appliqué radios,with Harris being awarded a similarcontract for 119 Secret SRW Appliquésystems. Up to 5,000 of these couldeventually be purchased by the US Armyfrom a number of manufacturers. TheSRW Appliqué radio can outfit a vehicle-mounted Sincgars-compatible radio toprovide SRW-level connectivity for thatlatter system. This provides vehicle radios ameans of communicating with dismountedtroops using the SRW in their Riflemanradios, and is effectively a stop-gapmeasure pending the development andintroduction of the MNVR (see above),which will have the SRW and WNWinstalled as standard.

I HARRISAs part of the JTRS restricting, the USArmy has launched a competition for theFull Rate Production of the Rifleman radiowith several companies offering proposedsolutions. Harris is offering a solutionbased upon its RF-330T-ER WidebandNetworking Team Radio to answer the

requirement. The radio offers a 14-hourbattery life and uses identical batteries andchargers to those used by the GeneralDynamics/Thales AN/PRC-154. TheVHF/UHF (225-450Mhz, 1250-1390Mhzand 1755-1850Mhz) RF-330T-ER providesencryption up to the NSA ‘Secret’ level, and20 hours’ battery life. Simultaneous voiceand high-speed data communications arepossible with this radio, along with up-to-date position reporting. The radio can joinor form an SRW network in less than 40seconds, and it is instantly interoperablewith all other SRW-compatiblecommunications devices. The radio canalso be upgraded to port future waveformsas and when they become available.

Away from its involvement with the FullRate Production element of the Riflemanprogramme, Harris continues to delivertactical radios to US customers and otherclients around the world. In June 2013, thefirm netted a contract worth $36 million tosupply wideband AN/PRC-117G manpackand AN/PRC-152A handheld Falcon-IIIradios. These radios will equip the UnitedStates Special Operations Command.

The AN/PRC-117G covers theHF/VHF/UHF 30-2000Mhz waveband andincludes US National Security Agency-Type 1 encryption and supports a widerange of legacy waveforms while also beingJTRS-certified. These include the Sincgars,Havequick-II and the company’s own

Adaptive Networking WidebandWaveform (ANW-2) which facilitates highbandwidth data transmission and isupgradeable to the SRW. In September2012, Harris announced that JTRScertification had been received for thisradio to operate version 1.01.1 of the SRW.This effectively certified it to carry theSRW and marked an important milestonein its development.

Regarding the AN/PRC-117G’sperformance, a single standard batteryprovides up to ten watts of transmit powerin VHF and 20W in UHF. Similarwaveforms are supported by the AN/PRC-152A along with the APCO P25 protocolwhich allows users to connect withcivilian communications networks suchas those utilized by first responders.Covering the VHF/UHF 30-512Mhz and762-870Mhz frequency ranges, the radiohas five watts of power operating in a line-of-sight mode, and ten watts of powerwhen performing satcom. Alongside theSpecial Ops Command, Harris has overthe past twelve months secured AN/PRC-117G orders from the United StatesMarine Corps worth $26 million, andfrom the United States Air Force inDecember 2012 for the delivery oftransceivers worth $85 million as part ofan indefinite delivery, indefinite quantitysupply contract which also saw an initialorder worth £33 million being made for

One of Harris’s best-selling radios is its AN/PRC-117G VHF/UHF radios. Recent orders have been forthcoming from the United States Marine Corps, and the US Air Force. In addition,examples of this radio have been sold around the world. (Harris)

13Compendium Radios 2013

the delivery of AN/PRC-117G sets. Todate, Harris says that it has produced andshipped over 22,000 AN/PRC-117G setswhich have been supplied to Australia,Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Poland,the United Kingdom and the United Statesin addition to several other Nato nations.

Harris continues to win exportcustomers for its tactical communicationsproducts, most noticeably netting an orderworth $40 million in May 2013 to providethe Royal Brunei armed forces with newradios from its Falcon-III product line.Other export orders have followed to

Poland which, in September 2012, placed a$10 million order for AN/PRC-117Gradios along with AN/PRC-150 sets. TheAN/PRC-150 is an HF radio which thecompany claims is the; ‘most advancedType-1 (communications security) radioavailable today.’ Covering the HF/VHF 1.6-60Mhz range, the radio includes third-generation automatic link establishmentand advanced frequency hopping whichprovides secure communications even inconditions where significant jamming isbeing performed. Although HFcommunications can sometimes sufferfrom low data rates, the AN/PRC-150 canshift up to 9,600 bits-per-second ofinformation. Australia is acquiring theAN/PRC-150 radio as part of its JointProject 2072 Battlespace CommunicationsSystem for the Australian Army. Thisinitiative is replacing legacy radios used bythe force, while providing a backbone torun the Battlefield Management Systemand Battlefield Command Support System.The Battlefield Communications Systemwill acquire narrowband and widebandradios to carry these latter Australiancommand and control systems.

In October 2012, Harris introduced itsKnightLite backpack mobile cellularnetwork system. This product forms partof the company’s KnightHawk family.KnightLite is essentially a portable cellularhub providing voice, data and SMScommunications across a secure networkwhich is compatible with existingcommercial off-the-shelf smartphones andtablet computers. When deployedKnightLite can provide 3G/4G networkingand provides a gateway linking thesedevices to other military communicationsnetworks. This can be done viaconventional high bandwidth tacticaltransceivers. Data rates of up to 14mbps areachievable with the high capacity 3Gcoverage provided by the KnightLite,although this can be increased to 20mbpsvia a 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution)software upgrade. Harris introduced itsKnighthawk tactical 3G cellular networknode in April 2011.

Other new products from the Harrisstable include the Falcon RF-330E. Thisnew wideband soldier personal radio canhandle voice and data traffic while alsoproviding situational awareness toindividual troops. The company hasdesigned the radio to address requirementsfor the US Army FRP phase of the

Harris’s RF-5800V Falcon-II handheld VHF radio covers the 30-108Mhz frequency range andsupports IP networking and has an embedded GPS for position reporting. The radio has beendesigned to provide a performance rivaling that of a VHF manpack. (US DoD)

Harris' RF-5800V Falcon-II VHF radio can be used with a number of accessories including the company's RT-3161 Dipole antenna. When the radio and antenna are teamed together,tests have shown that the combination is able to provide a performance surpassing that of a 10-watt manpack transceiver.


Tactical Communications

Border security, paramilitary police, coast guard and

national security forces around the globe rely on the

field proven expertise of Barrett Communications.

Tactical HF and VHF voice, data, interoperability and

security communications solutions have been

provided to over 150 countries.

By understanding the unique challenges facing our

clients, Barrett provides a complete communications

solution including tailored operator training and

technical support

The Barrett difference.0

Rifleman programme, and for itsNettWarrior initiative which aims tofurnish troops with a low-cost,smartphone/tablet-style device which canoperate with the Rifleman radio to run‘apps’ which can be used by individualsoldiers. The RF-330E is designed to runthe SRW, and to provide up to 14 hours’operation on a single battery charge. Thebatteries themselves are the same as thoseused for Harris’s AN/PRC-152Atransceiver which will help to reduce thelogistics burden of supporting these radios.

Although with an outward appearance whichseems to resemble a handheld radio, Harris’sRF-7800T-HH can be used to downlinkimagery from aerial reconnaissance assetsallowing these pictures to be viewed on alaptop, or terminal, by troops. (Harris)

Harris’s AN/PRC-150 HF radio is, according to the company, one of the mostadvanced such systems in use today. It can provide data throughputs of upto 9.6kbps and it is being acquired by Australia as part of an overarchingmodernization of the country’s tactical communications. (US DoD)


I CELLULAR ‘PHONESIt is worth digressing here a little to talkabout the Multi-Access Cellular Extension(Mace) programme which is being pursuedin the United States with the intention ofusing the fledgling NettWarrior initiativeand WIN-T as a conduit for cellularcommunications. In particular, the USArmy is especially keen to leverage theimprovements in communications offeredby so-called 4G LTE (Fourth GenerationLong Term Evolution) wirelesscommunications which offer high speeddata rates for cellphones and computers.One application for such technology is inthe field of military telemedicine. Theoverall aim of this initiative is to providesoldiers with full cellular communicationsservices in Spartan environments.

The problem with providing cellularcommunications in the field is essentiallydown to infrastructure challenges. Civiliansare used to obtaining near universalcellphone coverage, particularly in urbanenvironments, without giving the provisionof such services a second thought. This isbecause of the myriad of lattice-likecellphone communications towers which

carry traffic. When a cellphone call is madethe signal is picked up by the nearest towerand rebroadcast until it reaches itsdestination. As always with military

communications, armies are forced to notonly take their communications systemwith them into the field, but also theaccompanying infrastructure required to

The US Army’s Multi-Access Cellular Extension (Mace) programme aims to address gaps intheatre-wide communications coverage by providing a cellular-based communicationsnetwork. Applications being mooted for the Mace programme include telemedicine. (US Army)

A COMPENDIUM OF RADIOS

Compendium Radios 2013Compendium Radios 2013 Compendium Radios 2013 Compendium Radios 2013

1.6 to 30 MHz 2.9 kgWaveforms: High Data Rate Waveform Power: 5 or 25 WattsWaveforms: Mil-STD-188-110A/B and Stanag-4539 Encryption: Wideband and band-limited frequency

hopping and voice encodingNotes: Supplied to Afghan Border Police and

Kyrgyz Republic recently completed training.

2110M Codan

1.5 to 30 MHz 3.9 kgPower: 20 Watts manpack/125 vehicularWaveforms: Voice/data, CW Encryption: Digital/analogue encryptionNotes: Selective calling, digital squelch, pro -

prietary orthogonal and synchronousnetworks w/o master station, data upto 9.6 kbps, adaptive data algorithm,frequency hopping ECCM.

HF-6000HDR Elbit Tadiran

30 to 88 MHz 0.87 kgPower: 2 Watts hand-held (see notes) Waveforms: F@stnet, isochronous TDMA Encryption: ECCM against narrow- and broadband

jammersNotes: Radio family uses Mux mode,

continuous voice and data, 10 Wattsmanpack 50 vehicle.

PR4G F@stnet Thales

30 to 88 MHz 0.7 kgPower: 5 Watts (20 w/amp) Waveforms: Mil-STD-188-110A/B and Stanag-4539 Encryption: Frequency hopping and voiceNotes: Up to 16 kbps data with adaptive

algorithm, orthogonal network, full freq band.

PRC-710 Elbit Tadiran

30 to 512 MHz 1.2 kgPower: 0.25 to 5 Watts Waveforms: VHF, UHF, AM, FM (Type 1 AES) Encryption: Type 1 Suite B AES, Type 3 AES,

Des-OFBNotes: First tactical to receive NSA certification

forType 1 Suite B.

RF-3010M-HH Harris

30 to 88 MHz 0.73 kgPower: variable Wattage (see notes) Waveforms: Soldier Radio Waveform, JTRS Bow-

man (JBW), capable of hosting others Encryption: Programmable crypto subsystemNotes: VHF 30-88MHz 5 W, UHF 225-450 MHz

2 W, L-band 1250 - 1390/1710-1850MHz 2 W, auto Gig connectivity.

Soldier Radio-M ITT EXCELIS

1.6 to 60 MHz 3.7 kgPower: 10 to 25 WattsWaveforms: CW (J2A), USB/LSB/FM voice, FSK,

NPSK phase shift keying and NQAM Encryption: Proprietary transec, comsecNotes: Elos/blos/los, embedded GPS; HF-to-

HF/VHF-to-HF rebroadcast, Gen-3 Ale.

CNR2000 Selex

1.5 to 30 MHz 3.9 kgPower: 0.5, 2 or 5 WattsWaveforms: Simplex over FM Encryption: Optional voice scramblerNotes: Splash proof, alphanumeric LCD, 2320

or 4640 channels (*300 Hz to 3 MHzFM), Vox and Whisper modes.

HH7700 Datron

30 MHz to 2 GHz 5.4 kgPower: 10 or 25 Watts (20 in Satcom mode)Waveforms: Sincgars, Have Quick II, VHF, UHF, AM,

HPW, Dama, ANW2, 181B Tacsat Encryption: Sierra II NSA-certified Type INotes: IP-based wideband networking radio,

transmits 5 Mbps over tactical Internet,50,000th radio delivered to USMC April2010.

PRC-117G Harris

1.6 to 30 MHz 5.1 kgPower: 5, 20, 100 and 400 Watts Waveforms: Simplex or half-duplex USB, LSB, CW,

and Ame Encryption: Embedded ECCM and ComseNotes: 100 programmable channels, Fed-Std-

1054 Ale, built-in test, 5 Watts continu-ous duty.

PRC1099A Datron

30 MHz to 2 GHz 3.6 kgPower: 20 Watts Waveforms: Narrowband VHF low, VHF high, UHF

low. Wideband UHF, ANW2 Encryption: AES 256-bitNotes: Fixed, manpack or vehicular, embedded

12-channel GPS, 2400 bps Melpe, ad hoc networking.

RF-7800M-MP Harris

30 to 88 MHz 0.65 kgPower: 0.1, 1* or 5 WattsWaveforms: Nato squelch, clear or secure voice,

Sincgars, tactical Internet Encryption: Secure orthogonal frequency hopping,

country-specific cryptoNotes: Embedded Ota position reporting, 12-

channel GPS receiver, *Internationalversion.

Spearhead ITT EXCELIS

30 to 108 MHz 3 kgPower: 5 to 20 WattsWaveforms: High data rate combat net radio Encryption: Orthogonal frequency hopping and anti-

jammingNotes: 32 kbps data transfer, optional vocoder,

GPS, streaming on-the-move video.

CNR-9000 Elbit Tadiran

2.0 MHz to 2.0 GHz 0.76 kgPower: In development Waveforms: WNW, SRW, Sincgars, EPLRS, UHF sat-

com, HFEncryption: Crypto subsystemNotes: One-4 channels, completed field

experiments March 2011, customertests expected 3rd qtr 2011.

JTRS GMR Boeing

30 to 512 MHz 0.95 kgPower: 0.5 to 5 WattsWaveforms: Have Quick I/II, Sincgars Encryption: NSA Type 1, Type II DESNotes: Supplied to the US Army in 2007.

AN/PRC-148V3/V4 Jem upgrade makesit compatible with JTRS frequencyrange.

PRC-148 Thales

1.6 to 30 MHz 5.2 kgPower: 10 or 30 Watts* Waveforms: USB, LSB, AM, CW, AFSK, Ale Encryption: 5 or 25/sec freq hopping w/o master

station, Secure Call voice encryptorNotes: 500 programmable channels, GPS

tracking, digital crypto handset inter-face, *100 Watts in vehicle dock, 64-character SMS.

PRC-2090 Barrett

350 to 450 MHz 0.30 kgPower: 0.25, 1 or 2 Watts Waveforms: FSK or GMSK data/voice Encryption: Selectable Citadel II Asic or AESNotes: Full-duplex to six talkers, GPS position

report, range to one kilometre in jungle,automatic whisper mode.

RF-7800S-TR Harris

1.2 to 1.4 GHz 0.7 kgPower: 0.6 Watts Waveforms: Mil-STD-188-110A/B and Stanag-4539,

secure voice/data/video Encryption: DSSS, AES 256-bitNotes: Demonstrated out to a range of six km,

AES key management, tactical Lan on-the-move, IPv4, six Mbps data burst.

Spearnet ITT EXCELIS

225 to 450 MHz 14 kgPower: adaptive up to 20 Watts Waveforms: VHF/HF Centaur network data backbone Encryption: AES 256-bitNotes: Supply UK MoD’s M-Dor in 2011 under

$ 15 million contract. Now four Mbpsdata.

EnHCDR ITT EXCELIS

225 MHz to 2.0 GHz 0.76 kgPower: 0.1 to 4 Watts Waveforms: Eight-hop relay, CPSM with DSSS,

TDMA, CDMA and FDMAEncryption: AES for secure-but-unclassified trans-

missionNotes: Web browser, VoIP, data, video and po-

sition info.

Microlight DH500 Raytheon

1.6 to 60 MHz 4.7 kg Power: 1, 5, 20 WattsWaveforms: HF SSB, AM SSB, CW, VHF, FM, Melp,

LPC-10 Encryption: NSA-certified Type 1, Melp vocoder, se-

rial-tone ECCM, coalition CitadelNotes: 75 programmable presets, Ale &

datalink protocols, wideband FSK datato 16 kbps.

PRC-150(C) Harris

30 to 88 MHz 4.2 kgPower: 0.5 to 10 Watts * Waveforms: VHF, voice, data, FM FF, simplex or half-

duplex Encryption: full/partial freq hopping, digital encryp-

tionNotes: 12-chnl GPS, 16 Kbps data, * 0.5 to 75

W vehicle/fixed, selective calling, voicepriority

PRC2100V Datron

HF/VHF/UHF n.a.Power: 50 Watts* Waveforms: High Data Rate Waveform Encryption: Robust Rohde and Schwarz security

and encryption.Notes: SDTR family radios are optimized to

provide range, data and security performance depending on user requirements. Waveforms enable mobile,IP-based tactical communications

SDTR Rohde and Schwarz

225 to 400 MHz 0.7 kgPower: 0.1 to 1 WattsWaveforms: Multi-hop IP-based voice & data Encryption: Embedded AES 256-bitNotes: Supports parallel voice networks,

ad hoc IPv4 node (DHCP/routing), fivevoice nets.

SR600 Kongsberg

225 to 450 MHz 8 kgPower: up to 50 WattsWaveforms: Enhanced position, IP Manet Encryption: AES EncryptionNotes: Sales to Canada and Australia, up to

32 simultaneous independent datapaths, auto route establishment, man-pack/vehicular/airborne.

EPLRS-XF-I Raytheon

118 to 400 MHz 0.76 kgPower: 0.5 or 5 Watts Waveforms: Analogue voice, CVSD, TDMA, CSMAEncryption: Vocoder, frequency hopping, digital en-

cryptorNotes: Customisable encryption algorithms,

GPS position reporting, 1 metre immer-sion/2 hours.

MPT3A Reutech

30 to 512 MHz 1.1 kg Power: 0.25 to 5 Watts (10 in Satcom mode)Waveforms: Sincgars, VHF, UHF, AM, FM Have

Quick, Satcom HPW, Dama, P25 option Encryption: Sierra II programmableNotes: Dagr, PLGR GPS interoperable, JTRS-ap-

proved, SCA-compliant SDR.

PRC-152(C) Harris

30 to 512 MHz 1.4 kgPower: 0.5, 1, 2.5, 4 Watts Waveforms: VHF/FM, UHF/WBNR, UHF AM/FM,

A-CNR Encryption: Frequency hopping for digital voice

and dataNotes: Multi-mode multi-mission SDR.

PRC-9651 Aselsan

DTCS/Iridium satcom 0.5 kgPower: connects to PCWaveforms: HF voice and data Encryption: AES 256 voice/dataNotes: OTM over horizon secure voice, up to

five unique networks (soon ten), <400km range, pole-to-pole comms w/oneed for geo sat link.

RO Tactical Radio ITT EXCELIS

325 to 470 MHz 0.37 kgPower: 0.1 to 1 Watts Waveforms: High data-rate UHF Encryption: Embedded AES 256-bitNotes: Also available in vehicular and intra-pla-

toon versions, whisper mode, up to 1.5km in open terrain; 500 metres urban.

St@r Mille-S Thales

30 to 88/225 to 512 MHz >1 kgPower: 5 Watts UHF & VHFWaveforms: PR4G F@stnet, CNR, iMux, Super mux,

St@rmille, air-ground Nextwave Encryption: In developmentNotes: Simultaneous voice/data, dual-channel

SDR, embedded GPS, 2D map facility.

F@stnet Twin Thales

25 to 30 MHz n/aPower: 10 to 150 Watts (see notes) Waveforms: Ale 2/3G, AM/FM, SSB, Stanag 4285

and 4246, Secos, Have Quick I/II Encryption: Secom-H/-V/-P and digital voice

vocodersNotes: Integrated GPS and position reporting,

72 kbps data, wide variety of wave-forms.

MR300xU Rohde & Schwarz

5 to 15 GHz 1.1 kg Power: 2 Watts UHF, 5 L-bandWaveforms: Soldier Radio Waveform voice and data,

UHF, L-band Encryption: Programmable NSA Type II

comsec/transecNotes: Rifleman Radio, continuous location re-

porting. Lrip began 7 July 2011

PRC-154 GDC4S/Thales

30 to 512 MHz 1.4 kgPower: 1, 2, 5, 10 Watts Waveforms: VHF/FM, UHF/WBNR, UHF AM/FM,

A-CNR Encryption: Frequency hopping for digital voice

and dataNotes: Multi-mode multi-mission SDR, 50 W

power amp available.

PRC-9661 Aselsan

30 to 88 MHz 3.5 kgPower: 0.1, 5, 50 Watts Waveforms: Sincgars, tactical Internet Encryption: Transec, programmable Type 1,

six frequency hopping presetsNotes: Secure or clear frequency hopping, 2320

channels, over-the-air remote fill.500,000th Sincgars radio delivered toUS Army April 2010.

RT-1523 ITT EXCELIS

30 to 420 MHz 4 kgPower: 0.15, 1 or 5 Watts Waveforms: VHF/UHF/AM/FM, non-freq hopping

Sincgars connectivity Encryption: AM/FM clear and cipher text with

external comsecNotes: Frequency Enhancement version covers

30 to 90 MHz, range to 60 miles, de-buted 1/2010.

URC-200 (V2) GDC4S

30 to 512 MHz in developmentPower: 50 Watts UHF & VHF Waveforms: Waveform customisation, supports

Flexnet and PR4G F@stnet waveforms Encryption: Programmable Infosec, customer-

specific encryptionNotes: SCA 2.2-compliant V/UHF narrow/wide-

band, multimedia to six Mbps, first int’lSDR.

Flexnet One Thales/R. Collins

25 to 146 MHz n/aPower: 5 Watts Waveforms: VHF Secom-P digital EPM jam-resistant

waveform Encryption: frequency hopping and digital encryptionNotes: M3TR family. Optional GPS receiver, re-

mote control unit, nine network presets.

MR3000P Rohde & Schwarz

2 MHz to 2.5 GHz 6.5 kg Power: 20 Watts Waveforms: Soldier Radio Waveform, Muos, Sinc-

gars, EPLRS, HF SSB w/Ale, Satcom Encryption: Type 1 and 2 embedded comsec and

transecNotes: Two-channel JTRS HMS manpack, four

channels by networking. Lrip began 7July 2011.

PRC-155 GDC4S/R. Collins

30 to 512 MHz 5.2 kgPower: 10 or 20 Watts Waveforms: Sincgars, Satcom, Dama, Have Quick

I/II, AM, FM, FSK, B/SB/DESB/SOQ PSK Encryption: Wide variety of voice and data encryp-

tion capabilities, embedded comsecNotes: NSA/JITC certified, Melpe vocoder, em-

bedded tactical Internet/joint range ex-tension protocols, embedded IP stack.

PSC-5D Raytheon

30 to 88 MHz 3.5 kgPower: 0.1, 5, 10, 50 Watts Waveforms: Sincgars, secure voice, IP data Encryption: Default orthogonal hopsets/six presetsNotes: International Sincgars radio. 12-channel

GPS, voice/data retransmit, position re-porting, waypoint management, four-kmremote control.

RT-1702 ITT EXCELIS

1.6 to 108 MHz 5.78 kgPower: 1, 5 or 20 Watts Waveforms: Mil-STD-188-110B, Qam, Stanag 4415,

WB FSK, Melpe Encryption: AES, voice & data 128, 192 or 256-bit

key lengthNotes: HF, VHF, Internal GPS, immersion one

metre for 30 minutes, 101 programma-ble presets.

Wavpac L-3 Linkabit

2 MHz to 2 GHz 0.6 kgPower: 50 Watts UHF & VHF, open in HF Waveforms: Flexnet waveform, PR4G F@stnet, open

to standard or national waveforms Encryption: Embedded & customer-specific

encryptionNotes: IP-compliant protocols, one to four

simultaneous voice, data and videochannels.

Flexnet Four Thales/R. Collins

1.5 to 512 MHz 5.9 kgPower: 0.01, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 10, 20 WattsWaveforms: HF, VHF, V/UHF, Have Quick II, CNR,

PRN, SCRA, IPoA, Secom H/V, Ale 2/3G Encryption: Frequency hopping and voiceNotes: Syllabic, tone, signal squelch, GPS

mode, 72 kbps OFDM data rate, 20-hourautonomy.

MRC3005 Reutech

1.5 to 512 MHz 5.9 kg Power: 0.01, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 10, 20 Watts Waveforms: HF, VHF, V/UHF, Have Quick II, CNR, PRN,

SCRA, IPoA, Secom H/V, Ale 2/3G Encryption: Frequency hopping and voiceNotes: Syllabic, tone, signal squelch, GPS

mode, 72 kbps OFDM data rate, 20-hourautonomy.

PRC-525A EID

*1.6265 to 1.6605 GHz 11 kg Power: 20 Watts Waveforms: QPSK and 16-Qam forward, 4-ary QPSK

return Encryption: Type 1 Haipe v1.3.5, Firefly key

generationNotes: Secure high-speed IP data/voice over

Bgan, (*transmit – 1.225 to 1.559 GHzreceive).

PSC-14 Viasat

Ku/C/S/L-bands 0.9 kgPower: 3.5 Watts Waveforms: FM, FSK, BPSK, O-QPSK Encryption: Triple DES, AESNotes: IP-based secure, digital/analogue data/

video ISR receiver/SDR designed formodular soldier systems.

Soldier ISR Receiver L-3

225 to 400 MHz 4.1 kgPower: 0.1 to 5 Watts Waveforms: IPv4 multi-hop data or voice & data Encryption: Embedded AES 256-bit, multi-hop voiceNotes: Long-range C4ISR SDR comms, 2.5

Mbps data, provides DHCP routing.

WM600 Kongsberg

operate these, hence the development of adhoc networking radios which form theirown networks. For cellular communications to be

available to soldiers, the necessaryinfrastructure has to be present to enablethem to work. The rationale behind theMace programme is simple. It aims too‘plug the gaps’ that naturally occur intheatre-wide communications where twoseparate tactical communications networkswhich may host cellular communicationsmay be too far from one another, orseparated by a geographical obstacle suchas a mountain range to permit connectivity.The Mace programme commenced in 2012and is currently undergoing developmentwith a view to deploying the technologiesthat the programme will develop by circa2016. The challenge of the initiative isensuring that the technologies realized as aresult of the Mace programme caninteroperate with the US Army’s existingand future communications networks. Thiseffort will have to ensure that cellularcommunications can integrate with and usethe networks such as NettWarrior andWIN-T which will carry this traffic to itsdestination. Other new Harris products include the

RF-7800H HF manpack which thecompany says provides up to ten times thebandwidth and data rates of similar HFmanpack products. In addition to itsincreased power, the RF-7800H is 20percent smaller and lighter than previousHF manpacks and operates on a singlebattery, while including softwarecommunications architecture whichgreatly eases the future upgrade of theradio. Finally, the firm has introduced the"Next Generation" Falcon III RF-7800W-OU-500 High Capacity Line-of-Sight(HCLOS) radio which uses Multiple-InputMultiple-Output (MIMO) technology toprovide in excess of 180mbps datathroughput across ranges of up to 160km.

I ITT EXELISThe last twelve months have been busy forUnited States-based communicationsspecialists ITT Exelis. On 24th June 2013,the firm received a new level ofcertification from the US National SecurityAgency (NSA) for its Soldier RadioRifleman and SideHat products. This NSAcertification enables the radios to handletraffic classified at the agency’s Secret andbelow level across the US Army’s forward

areas and tactical environments. SideHat isa transceiver, which can reside next to aSincgars standard manpack in a vehicularconfiguration. This configurationincreases the warfighter’s capability anduse of space and installation in a givenplatform.The SideHat attaches to a Sincgars

transceiver and enables soldiers to

exchange voice and data communicationsusing the SRW, without having to procurecompletely new SRW transceivers. TheSRW was developed by ITT Exelis. Therationale behind the SRW is to provide ahigh bandwidth networking waveform thatcould be used by small, low-powertransceivers equipped with low-profileantennas, operating in contested territoryi.e. being resistant to jamming andinterception. The SideHat enablesSincgars-era radios to communicate withnew radios running the SRW. To this end, itcarries VHF/UHF communications at 225-450Mhz, and UHF traffic at between 1250-1390 and 1710-1850Mhz or in 1.2Mhzbandwidth channels. It transmission poweris 23.4 Watts in UHF and 28W in L-band.The SideHat is available for vehicularoperations.ITT Exelis’s Soldier Radio-Rifleman (SR-

R (S)) carries the SRW (see above) and isdesigned for intra-squad communications.Like the SideHat, the SR-R(S) handles UHFtraffic across the same frequency spread and1.2Mhz channel bandwidth. Capable ofachieving over eight hours of operation on asingle battery charge, the SR-R(S) has twowatts of output power in both UHF and L-band. As regards bandwidth, the radioprovides up to 1.2Mhz using the SRW. Allup, the SR-R weighs a shade under akilogram, and is Software CommunicationsArchitecture (SCA) 2.2.2 compliant. SCA isa series of open architecture standardswhich stipulate hardware and software

22

The ITT Exelis RT-1947 can connect into aSincgars network and provides a positionreporting system to users whom may notpossess Sincgars radios. This enables theirposition to be known to other friendly Sincgarsusers. (ITT Exelis)

ITT Exelis’s RT-1523 radio is one of manysystems which can handle Sincgarsstandard waveforms used by the UnitedStates and its allies. The radio can be usedin both a mounted and dismountedconfiguration, and covers the 33-88Mhzfrequency range. (ITT Exelis)


requirements for radio engineers providingSoftware Defined Radios (SDRs), and theaccompanying products and accessoriesintended to operate with them.A word or two should also be

mentioned regarding ITT Exelis’s ROhandheld radio. Unless severalfundamental laws of physics radicallychange in the near future; a prospect whichseems somewhat unlikely, radio engineersface a fundamental reality: HighFrequency transmissions can travel vastdistances, as they bounce their signals offthe ionosphere, but they cannot conveyhigh levels of data. VHF and UHFtransmissions on the other hand, can carryvast levels of data, but are restricted to line-of-site ranges. This is particularlychallenging when a platoon of troops ismoving through an area of highmountains, jungle or so-called ‘urbancanyons’ with high-rise buildings; all ofwhich can serve to block radio traffic withobstacles. The RO radio offers an approachto squaring this circle as it uses the globalIridium satellite communications networkto carry its transmissions betweentransceivers. This enables a soldier to sendUHF and VHF levels of data across HF-style ranges, while at the same time, beingable to communicate with ease with theircomrades in the adjacent street, forexample. ITT Exelis’s RO radios form partof the Distributed TacticalCommunications System (DTCS)operated by the Defence SystemsInformation Agency (DSIA). The DSIAowns a section of Iridium bandwidthwhich enables it to transmit traffic acrossthis constellation. Basically, the DSTAarchitecture includes the RO radios, and agateway connecting these radios to theDSIA-owned Iridium bandwidth. Since2010, ITT Exelis has supplied around8,000 radios to the United States’ armedforces, most of which are equipping theUnited States Central Command foroperations in Afghanistan, although theUnited States Marine Corps and Africomalso use the radio. The company iscurrently enhancing these radios via aretrofit to extend their range to over900km and is thinking about how thesetransceivers could connect with otherAllied Sincgars- or SRW-standard radiosthrough a gateway in the future.Although ITT Exelis is very much

involved in the development of new radiotechnology, its products continue to prove

popular around the world. In March 2013,the firm won a contract worth $4.3 millionto provide RT-1702 Sincgars transceiversin the VRC-92 Dual Long-Range RadioSystem and VRC-90 Long Range RadioSystem configurations. The identity of thecustomer has not been revealed, althoughthe supply of the RT-1702 will afford thatcustomer a VHF radio operating in the 30-88Mhz range which can be used in both amounted and dismounted configurationprimarily to handle data traffic, althoughthe radio can also handle voicecommunications and Global PositioningSystem (GPS) transmissions, enabling it toprovide Blue Force Tracking functions. Inthe dismounted configuration, the radiohas an output of 5W and 10W but thisincreases to 50W when used in thevehicular configuration.Export sales have also been forthcoming

of ITT Exelis’s SpearNet radio, with the firmsecuring a sales contract in late-February2013. The UHF SpearNet is being providedin both vehicular and soldier-wearableforms. The SpearNet can handle data, voiceand positional information via GPS over arange of circa eight kilometres. Its datatransfer rate is in the region of 100-1,500kilobits-per-second. One useful feature of the radio is that it includes a Voice-OverInternet Protocol (VoIP) function which allows it to connect with existingtelephone networks. This feature isespecially useful when the soldiers areworking with their civilian counterpartssuch as local police forces or emergencyservice first responders. Similarly, SpearNetcan be configured to act as an internet nodeallowing computers and sensors to beconnected to the radio to send data acrossexisting IP networks. Such functions can beperformed very safely given that the radioincludes Advanced Encryption Standard(AES) 256 security. Used in its vehicularconfiguration which teams the soldier radiowith a 20W power amplifier, the SpearNethas demonstrated its ability to achieveranges of up to 16km. This can increase to60km, if radio relays are present. ITT Exelis is also supplying the United

Kingdom Ministry of Defence with theenhanced version of its High Capacity DataRadio, dubbed the EnHCDR. This expandsthe functionality of the original sets whichhave been supplied to the Britain as part ofthe Bowman multiband tacticalcommunications initiative. The ‘vanilla’HCDR covers the VHF/UHF 225-450Mhz

23

ITT Exelis’sSpearNet UHFradio can beprocured both asa soldier-worn ora vehiclemounted product.The radio has arange of aroundeight kilometresand it includesVOIP capabilitiesto allow the userto link with othernon-militarycommunicationsnetworks. (ITTExelis)


24

range and performs self-healing, self-forming ad hoc networking. The radio canequip vehicles, ships, aircraft and fixedcommand posts. Data rate outputs of up to5kbps are achievable with the HCDR,which is considered highly robust vis-à-viselectronic countermeasures. The HCDR’spower output is adaptive up to 20W.Noticeable changes as regards the EnHCDRcompared to the HCDR include anincreased throughput of 8mbps, comparedto the 5kbps of the legacy product, and theability to operate in extreme temperaturesranging from -35°C up to +71°C. TheEnHCDR features both Type-1 and Type-3AES-256 bit encryption and 4Mhz widespread spectrum frequency occupancy.

I METRIC SYSTEMSMetric Systems’ RaptorX VHF/UHFNetwork Radio provides a solutionregarding the planning and establishmentof reliable, deployed unit-to-unit securebroadband communications. Ableto operate continuously over theVHF/UHF 170-800Mhz band,RaptorX enables the quickactivation of point-to-point,point-to-multi-point, andmulti-point-to multi-pointnetworks in a range of harshenvironments from arctic terrainto the hot and humid jungle.

When teamed with secure enterprise wi-finodes the RaptorX provides garrison-to-garrison secure communications betweenhundreds of authorized users.Deployable in a mobile or a transportable

configuration using the company’s RhinoBox environmentally-controlled siteenclosure, the dual-channel Rhino/Raptorsuite, provides a wide-area VHF/UHF hublinking civil and military users into a unifiedcommunity element. Key operationalfeatures of the RaptorX include optional RF power output levels, tailored for extended range sub-band operation withinthe 170-800Mhz spectrum. Furthermore

Safari View, RaptorX’s integrated operations, administration and maintenanceapplication, allows its embedded real-timehardware encryption engine to securelysupport multiple independent users. Finally,RaptorX’s powerful mission scriptingcapability enables communication plannersto quickly configure and adapt to changingmission requirements.

I RAFAEL Along with South Africa, Europe andNorth America, Israel is a centre ofexcellence as regards tactical radioinnovation. Rafael has unveiled its Bnetfamily of tactical communications whichencompasses vehicular, airborne as well ashandheld transceivers. These radios canhandle up to ten megabits-per-second ofdata and carry voice-over-internet traffic.Promoted as an ‘advanced IP Mobile Ad-Hoc Network SDR’ by the company, all ofthe radios in the Bnet family can handleNato waveforms. Rafael will commencedelivery of the Bnet to the Israeli armedforces by late 2014.

I RAYTHEONRaytheon’s Enhanced Position LocatingReporting System (EPLRS) vehicular radiowhich equips the US Army’s GeneralDynamics Land Systems Strykerarmoured fighting vehicles has beenupgraded by the company to EXF-1950status as part of an exercise to demonstratethe feasibility of providing tactical wirelessinternet connectivity through a vehicle-mounted radio. Over several months,Stryker vehicles equipped with the EXF-1950 operated by the force’s 4th Brigade,2nd Infantry Division Stryker BrigadeCombat Team (4/2 SBCT) demonstratedthat this was feasible thus enabling troopsto receive and send email traffic from theirStryker vehicles using a secure wirelessnetwork. Along with email and datahandling across a wireless network, thisupgrade to the EPLRS allows troops tosend and receive data. Prior to thisupgrade it was only possible for Strykervehicles to join an upper-tier tacticalinternet network when in the proximity of

ITT Exelis’s High Capacity Data Radio hasbeen sold to several customers including theUnited Kingdom where it forms an integralpart of the country’s Bowman tacticalcommunications system. In Britain, theseradios are now undergoing an upgraded toenhance their data rates. (ITT Exelis)

Kongsberg supplies a range of tacticalcommunications products. These includehandheld and larger vehicle-mounted andfixed base station sets. In addition to mobilenetworks, the firm provides trunk brigade andbattalion nets. (Kongsberg)


a fixed transmitting point at a ForwardOperating Base, or a Combat Outpost, forexample. The EXF-1915 enables a StrykerBrigade to join US Army middle-tier andupper-tier internet networks and thusbenefit from high-speed internet protocolservices across the entire brigade.In other developments, Raytheon

announced in November 2012 that it hadsuccessfully demonstrated the SRW in itsMobile Ad Hoc Interoperability NetworkGateway radios, better known as ‘Maingate’.The significance of the demonstration isthat it illustrated the ability of these radios tocarry voice and data traffic between aMaingate terminal and other radios usingthe SRW. Along with carrying the SRW,Maingate can use the Next GenerationMobile Ad Hoc Networking Waveform(NMW). Raytheon has developed theNMW and, in April 2012, this was acceptedinto the Department of Defense’s waveformlibrary developed as part of the JTRSprogramme. NMW is designed to providewideband connectivity for small, low powerconsumption radios. As mentioned in this article, waveforms

are, for all intents and purposes, the ‘secret

sauce’ of armed forces future tacticalcommunications needs. They can bethought of as similar to the ‘apps’ found oncivilian smartphones which enable the userto perform several functions with theirphone once these apps are installed. Just as

some smartphones now have an applicationfor the Skype VOIP communicationssystem, the radios which have been, andwill be, developed following the demise ofthe JTRS programme will be able toperform a number of functions accordingto the waveforms that they have installed.For example, these waveforms may includethe Havequick-II, a legacy Sincgars-erawaveform which enables secure frequency-hopping ground-to-air communicationsacross VHF/UHF 225-400Mhz. Similarlythe Muos waveform discussed abovefacilitates satellite communications, whilea waveform supporting civilian marine-band radio at 156Mhz is also included inthe library. To better facilitate multinationaloperations, some Allied waveforms maybeincluded such as those compatible with the United Kingdom’s Bowman HF,VHFand UHF tactical communications system.Maingate is one of the candidate radios for the MNVR requirement. As well asrunning the NMW and SRW, Raytheon says that Maingate can also carry the Muos(see above). Finally, the company showcased its new

Joint Tactical Air Controller (JTAC) system

Raytheon’s Joint Terminal Attack Controller(JTAC) system was showcased at this year’sParis Air Show. This clever device uses asoldier-worn eyepiece and a communicationssystem which enables the controllers todirectly transmit the imagery that they areseeing to a pilot. (Raytheon)

at the 2013 Paris Air Show. Currently in itsprototype stage, the JTAC includes a vest-worn communications system which isconnected to an eyepiece worn by the aircontroller. When he sees a target of interest,he looks at it directly and presses a button todesignate the target. This imagery is thentransferred to a pilot in a combat aircraftoverhead who immediately sees the sametarget. Such technology may go a long wayin helping to avoid fratricide and collateraldamage by ensuring that both pilot andJTAC see exactly the same target beforeordnance is released.

I REUTECHThe past twelve months has seen SouthAfrica’s Reutech Communications releasea new product into the marketplace in theform of the Landsec Short RangeCommunications System comprising thePCR4001-E Personal Role Radio and theVCR4001-E Vehicle Repeater. Billed as a‘new generation Personal Role NetworkedRadio for short-rage intra-teamcommunications’ by its manufacturer, thePCR4001-E can perform hands-free voicecommunications, and host multiple userswith a push-to-talk priority override andexternal access to two combat net radios. A built-in GPS has been included for

blue-force tracking, and the radio canperform simultaneous voice, data andimagery communications. With anoperational range of around one kilometre,the PCR4001-E operates in the UHF bandat between 410-510Mhz. One of the

impressive features of the radio is itsbattery life, which provides to up to 18hours of operation with hot-swappablebatteries giving an uninterruptedflow of communications. For data,the PCR4001-E provides a user datarate of 64kbps.In addition to the unveiling of the

PCR4001-E, Reutech announced inOctober 2012 that it is gearing up forfull-scale production of their newgeneration of tactical radios as part of theiroffering to the South African NationalDefence Force and other internationalcustomers. This overarching family ofradios includes the firm’s MCR3005-EV/UHF and MCR2005-E VHF manpackradios, its MCR1025-E HF manpack andthe vehicle-mounted V/UHF VCR2050-E

and VCR3020-E, plus the HF VCR1100-E.Some advance production units hasalready been delivered to selected users.The second stage of the rolloutprogramme will see deliveries of thecompany’s FCR5050-E V/UHF fixedtransceiver, FCR1100-E HF transceiver,PCR4001-E (see above), and the vehicle-mounted VCR4001-E at a later date. All ofthe radios which Reutech is deliveringinclude built-in GPS for blue forcetracking and advanced encryption. All ofthese will also run the so-called SouthAfrican ‘Link-ZA’ national tacticaldatalink which has been in developmentsince the start of the 21st Century. Link-ZA allows the seamless transfer of voiceand data communications between army,air and naval forces.

Reutech Communications’ Landsec Short Range Communications System includes bothvehicle and handheld radios. The company is putting its Landsec radio family in full-rateproduction for a number of customers. (Reutech)

Reutech Communications’PCR4001-E Personal Role Networked Radio is designed for short-range intra-teamcommunications. This UHF radio can provide upto 18 hours of operations and has a data rate of 64kbps.(Reutech)

Reutech Communications’ Landsec VCR radio family includes the VCR-2050-E and VCR-3020-E. All Landsec products include a GPS to provide blue force tracking and the ability to run the ‘Link-ZA’ datalink. (Reutech)


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I ROCKWELL COLLINSIn May 2013, Rockwell Collins announcedthat it had performed two live tests of itsWideband HF radio, during which thetransmission of streaming full-colourvideo was demonstrated alongside ad-hocIP-based networking. Of particularinterest was the ability to handle ten times’the data rates usually obtainable byexisting HF systems, according to thecompany. Historically, HF radio has beeninvaluable at providing an over-the-horizon reach, but has done so at theexpense of bandwidth, limiting thequantity of data that such communicationscan handle. Increasingly the bandwidth ofHF radios plays an important part inreducing the dependence that armedforces have on satellite communications

which can be expensive to lease andvulnerable to jamming. During that same month Rockwell

Collins’ SubNet Relay (SNR) product wasratified as meeting Nato’s StandardisationAgreement 4691 (STANAG 4691) whichcovers Marlin (Mobile Ad Hoc Relay Line-of-Sight IP Networking). The SNR hasbeen designed to allow the use of acommon frequency to establish a tacticalinternet between ground, air and seavehicles. This can be a self-configuring andself-healing network using either legacy ornew communications systems. In additionto producing the SNR, Rockwell Collins,along with General Dynamics, is involvedin the production of the AN/PRC-155 two-channel manpack tactical radios for the USArmy. In late November 2012, the firmreceived a contract to produce around halfof the 3,700 sets which have been ordered bythe US Army with General Dynamicsproducing the balance.

I ROHDE AND SCHWARZGerman tactical radio specialists Rohdeand Schwarz used the opportunity of theInternational Defence Exhibition in AbuDhabi this year to unveil its new, next-generation software-define radio. Thefirms’ family of radios and networkingwaveforms is designed for vehicular andsemi-fixed installations providing up to50W of output power, covering the 30-512HF/VHF/UHF ranges. All of the radios inthe range are SCA-compliant, which allows

the waveforms developed by othermanufacturers to be ported into the radio toimprove interoperability. The HDR (High Data Rate) waveforms

developed by Rohde and Schwarz toaccompany the SDTR family areoptimized to provide the best range, dataand security performance for the userdepending on their requirements, andthese can be directly selected on thetransceiver. Above all, these waveformsenable mobile, IP-based tacticalcommunications; a must on today’s, andtomorrow’s, battlefields. When on themove the HDR waveforms support Manet,enabling the automatic reconfiguration ofvehicle-to-vehicle communicationsnetworks.

I SELEX ESThis Italian military communicationsspecialist took advantage of the SITDEFExhibition in Lima, Peru to showcase bothits Soldier System Radios. Selex’s SSRweighs around 600 grams complete with itsbattery. The UHF radio is available in both400Mhz and 900Mhz versions with the

28

Rohde and Schwarz’s MR3000P is amultiband, frequency-hopping radio whichhas a power output of five watts. The radio hasembedded electronic-counter-countermeasure systems and is interoperable with thefirm’s M3TR radio family. (Rohde andSchwarz)

One of Rohde and Schwarz’s software definedtactical radios here ssen undergoing coldweather testing. The SDTR range representsone of the newest tactical radio families toenter the market place. It covers the 30-512Mhz range and supports IP networkingand Manet. (Rohde and Schwarz)


former offering an operating frequency of between 350 and450Mhz, and the latter 856 and 900Mhz. In rural terrain, the SSRshave a range in the order of one kilometre and host 256 channels. Upto 32 users can be hosted on a single SSR net. Selex ES took many ofthe lessons learned from the design of its Personal Role Radio(PRR), although the range of the SSR is sufficient to supportextended squad operations.

I THALESThales is forging ahead with the Contact programme for the Frencharmed forces. Announced last year, Contact will equip the Frencharmy, navy and air force with new generation SDRs for differentplatforms; namely vehicles, helicopters, fighters and ships, as well asdismounted commanders. The programme provides connectivity tothe soldier on the field as well as interoperability with allied andcoalition forces and, compared with today’s radios, it enables fastertransmission speeds and higher grade security.One important aspect of the Contact programme is that the

radios that will be designed and procured will be compatible withthe existing waveforms used by the Thales PR4G F@stNet family ofradios used by the French armed forces. The PR4G F@stNet familyincludes the TRC-9105 and TRC-9110 Very High Frequency(VHF) handheld radios, TRC-9210 VHF manpack, TRC-9310A/AP VHF vehicular set, TRC-9310B/C VHF vehicular dual-fitstation, and Very/Ultra High Frequency (V/UHF) airborne radios.The company is currently in the Contact project definition phase

to be completed by 2014. Once the definition phase is complete, thefirm expects to commence the development of a prototypetransceiver. Following this proof of concept work will be performedin 2015 with elements of the overall Contact architecture beinginserted into existing French communications networks thereafter.A key element of the Contact architecture, as noted above, is

interoperability. This will be achieved by the incorporation of the Essor(European Secure Software-defined Radio) ad hoc networking highdata rate waveforms into the overall Contact waveform library which will also support the future Coalwnw (CoalitionWideband Networking Waveform). The Essor is a project run under theauspices of the European Defence Agency which intends to develop standards and protocols compliant with andcomplementing the Software Communications Architecture 2.2.2standard, better known as ‘SCA-2.2.2’. This is an open-architecture

Thales’s FlexNet One is a compact, vehicular wideband VHF/UHFsoftware-defined radio. It can support the company’s legacy PR4Gand PR4G F@stnet waveforms, and handle up to six megabits-per-second of data. (Thales)

standard relating to hardware and softwareSDR design criteria. The aim is to enablefuture communications systems tointeroperate with communicationsequipment developed as part of the JTRSprogramme. In addition, it will develop aHigh Data Rate Waveform (HDWF) whichcan be ported into the communicationssystems of the participating nations (Finland,France, Italy, Poland, Spain and Sweden). TheCoalwnw includes eleven nations notably, theUnited States and most of the sixparticipating countries in the Essor initiative,and seeks to eventually develop a coalitionwideband networking waveform which canbe used by all of the participating countriesto enhance interoperability. The tactical-levelHigh Data Rate Waveform (HDRWF) beingdeveloped as part of the Essor undertaking isa candidate for the Coalwnw. The Contactprogramme will port the waveformsdeveloped as a result of the Essor andCoalwnw initiatives.Alongside its leading role in the Contact

programme, Thales’s American subsidiaryhas developed the MBITR2 (the next-generation Multiband Inter/Intra Team

Radio) which is currently undergoing testswith the United States armed forces.MBITR2 can perform simultaneousnarrow and wideband operations using asingle handheld transceiver. While itretains the waveforms of the legacyVHF/UHF AN/PRC-148 JEM (JTRSEnhanced MBITR), notably Sincgars andthe Havequick-I/II UHF frequency-hopping protection protocol, it adds asecond wideband channel which enablesdata and video reception and transmission.This also permits the user to accesswideband tactical networks via the SRW.Meanwhile, an embedded GPS affords theradio a blue force tracking capability.Thales plan to produce a portable amplifierwhich will allow the MBITR2 to become avehicular or manpack radio in the future. Although Thales’s PR4G radio family

has been in service both in France andaround the world for some time now, the

firm is evolving the range. Its new TRC-9110 VHF hand-held radio is entering theproduction phase. The TRC-9110 is asmall lightweight handheld radio offeringthe same features and same waveform thatexist in the manpack and the vehicularstations. A new 50W light vehicle station(TRC 9310 L) based on this handheld andequipped with a booster is completing thecurrent PR4G F@stnet family. All the newequipment includes Thales’s new GeoMuxVHF waveform which is dedicated tovoice, data and position reporting,featuring one of the most advanced VHFwaveforms on the market. In addition, adata transfer rate of 100kbps has beendemonstrated which Thales expects todeliver to customers next year. For the individual soldier, UHF traffic

can be handled by Thales’s St@rMille familywhich offers three standard waveformscovering intra-squad, intra-platoon andweapons-system communications. A highdata rate waveform can be used by theSt@rMille family to enable simultaneousvoice, data and GPS transmissions.Available in three different hardwareversions (handheld, vehicular and highpower), ST@rMille offers high mobility indifferent operative scenarios (urban,suburban and rural), self-forming and self-managing networks without need for anyinfrastructure, automatic reporting of theGPS position, a high data rate capacity,including live video transmissions andsecure communications via its embeddedAES-based encryption algorithm.As noted above, Thales has a presence

in the United States most notably through

Thales’ TRC-3700 HF manpack radio formspart of the company’s Skyfast long-range HFcommunications range. These radios canhandle data at a rate of 9.6kbps and cover the15-30Mhz frequency spread in 100 hertzsteps. (Thales)

Thales’ PR4G F@stNet radio familyincludes a wide range of transceivers formanpack and vehicle use. This includesthe TRC-9310 A/AP VHF vehicular radio.The PR4G family is used extensively bythe French armed forces. (Thales)

Thales’ PR4G family also includes theTRC-9210 VHF manpack. Over the longterm, the PR4G family will be replaced inthe French armed forces by the Contactseries of radios that are currently underdevelopment by Thales. (Thales)

Alongside Thales’ TRC-9310 A/AP VHFvehicular radio, the firm produces the TRC-9310B/C dual fit vehicular VHF radio. All of thePR4G family radios support waveformsspecifically developed by Thales and can portnew waveforms developed by the company asand when available. (Thales)


the use of its AN/PRC-148 JEM radios bythe US armed forces. The company isinvolved with the AN/PRC-154 Riflemanradio which it has jointly developed andmanufactured with General Dynamics.Currently, the US Army has around 20,000of these radios on order from the twocompanies which are being procured via alow rate initial production initiative. Finally, some interesting work is being

performed by Thales regarding HFcommunications. HF has the benefit ofproviding over-the-horizon ranges, thanksto the ability of its transmissions to use theionosphere as a ‘springboard’ from which itcan bounce off in a similar fashion to apebble thrown across a lake. This enablesHF to avoid the curvature of the Earthwhich acts as an obstacle, much as it doesfor conventional line-of-sight VHF andUHF communications.Thales is currently working on wideband

HF standards designed to increase thethroughput of HF transmissions. Theseefforts focus on gathering non-contiguousHF channels together, which is akin tobinding several fibres into one thick rope.Each HF channel tends to handle aroundnine-to-ten kilobits-per-second of data. As ameans of comparison the author’s current

wi-fi connection handles 54 megabits-per-second; up to 5,400 times more data than asingle HF channel. However, the trade-off isthat is does this across a range measured inmetres. HF carries notably much less data,but its attraction is that it can do this acrossthousands of miles. Can this data-rate/rangecircle be squared? Using the rope analogy,by grouping several HF channels together,you can increase the quantity of data whichcan be transmitted. This is done by scanningHF radios channels to find the channels thatare not being used. Once these areidentified, the channels are groupedtogether for the transmission of data. Forexample, up to ten channels could beconnected together to provide up to100kbps of bandwidth across an HF link.Such data rates are still eclipsed by thoseoffered using VHF, UHF and satellitecommunications, but they could be veryuseful in providing an alternate very longdistance narrowband communications linkfor written messages and voice, such asthose transferred between ships deployedon the high seas in a task force.

I ULTRA ELECTRONICSIn May 2013, Ultra Electronics unveiled itsnew Orion high-capacity line-of-sightradio. The Orion can be used to connecthigher echelon levels of command withtactical networks and can be employed asboth a backhaul repeater and a rangeextension node. The set can provide accessto three radio channels simultaneouslyacross multiple frequency bands. Theradio can handle up to one gigabit-per-second of data, and includes AES-256 levelembedded cryptography. Orion supportsa number of waveforms, including thoseutilized by the company’s AN/GRC-245A(V) High Capacity Line of Sightradios. The AN/GRC-245A(V) is a tri-band radio which can handle up to16mbps of full duplex traffic and canachieve such high data throughputs evenat long range, although this can beoptionally increased to rates of 34mbps. Itcovers the VHF/UHF 225-400Mhz, 1350-2690Mhz, and Super High Frequency(SHF) 4400-5000Mhz frequency ranges,with 125khz of channel spacing. Using the225-400Mhz frequency range, the radiocan handle 256kbps-16mbps at a distancegreater than 50km, 256kbps-34mbps atranges in excess of 55km when using 1350-2690Mhz part of the spectrum (this isdependent on an optional Enhanced

Power Mode), and the same datathroughout at ranges in excess of 40kmwhen using the 4400-5000Mhz frequencyband. Embedded AES-256 standardencryption is included along with theability to support a range of SCA-certifiedwaveforms. The AN/GRC-245A(V) is inservice with the armed forces of Canada,Chile, Jordan, the United Kingdom, andthe United States. Ultra Electronics’ other similar

products include the High Capacity Multi-Mission Radio. This uses the SHF 4400-5000Mhz segment of the spectrum. It cantransmit data at rates of between 34kbpsup to 100mbps. When transmitting at34kbps, the radio occupies 10Mhz. Thisincreases to 15Mhz when transmitting70kbps and 18Mhz when operating at100mbps. The High Capacity Multi-Mission Radio is compatible with theAN/GRC-245A(V), and supports anumber of waveforms.

I ULTRALIFETactical radios are highly dependent ontheir accompanying accessories to ensuresmooth operation. This includes dedicatedamplifiers which can extend the range andpower of existing products. In May 2013,Ultralife Corporation unveiled its new A-7500 75W multiband, multimode tacticalamplifier. The A-7500 supports a widerange of waveforms including SRW,Havequick and Sincgars, to name but three,and can operate in conjunction with the

32

Thales’ Nextwave is an airborne software-definedradio which is designed to provide both voice anddatalink communications between air platformsand between air platforms and forces on theground. The radio operates in the 30-600Mhzfrequency range. (Thales)

Ultralife’s A-7500 75W multiband tacticalamplifier can support a wide range of tacticalwaveforms, these include waveforms used bythe Single Channel Ground and AirborneRadio System, better known as Sincgars.(Ultralife)


firm’s A-320V2-A 20W amplifier.Supporting the SRW and a number oflegacy waveforms, the A-320V2-A formspart of Ultralife’s A-320 tactical amplifierrange and it covers the HF to low UHFfrequency ranges.

I AR MODULAR RFNew tactical amplifiers are also availablefrom AR Modular RF. The firm isintroducing its L-band AR55L amplifierwhich is specifically designed as anetworking amplifier system and iscompliant with SRW, and also with Harris’sproprietary ANW-2 waveform. The AR55Lis currently completing testing, and thefirm is hoping to enter production in thenear future. Both of these waveforms canalso be carried by AR Modular RF’s legacy

AR50 amplifier. To date, the company saysthat it has shipped ‘thousands’ of theselatter products which will in their standardconfiguration carry not only legacywaveforms but also the new networkingwaveforms developed as a result of theJTRS initiative. All of AR Modular RF’stactical booster amplifier products areessentially ‘transceiver agnostic’ and areused with AN/PRC-117G, AN/PRC-152,and AN/PRC-148 MBITR radios. The firmsays that going forward they expect theirproducts to be used extensively with theAN/RPC-154 Rifleman Radio (see above)as that product enters service.Although they may seem somewhat

more humdrum than the all-singing, all-dancing multiband transceivers discussedabove, tactical radios are little more thanbox full of electronics without antennas.Significant research and development isflowing into antenna technology withPharad introducing a new L-band antennain early July 2013. This L-band antenna iswearable and operates efficiently over the1,350-1390Mhz range. It can be used for anumber of applications including point-to-point, point-to-multipoint and push-to-talk communications.The past twelve months has

underscored that, while defence budgetsare feeling the pinch, the globalmodernization of land forces tacticalcommunications continues. Of course it isimpossible to predict the extent to which

A recent evolution of Ultralife's A-320 family ofmanportable tactical radio amplifiers, the A-320V2-A supports a diverse number of legacywaveforms including Sincgars and Havequick,plus more recent additions such as the SoldierRadio Waveform and Harris's proprietaryAdaptive Networking Wideband Waveform(Ultralife).

Alongside the AR50, AR Modular RF has alsodeveloped the AR55L which is completingtesting, and which should enter production inthe near future. The AR55L will be able tosupport the SRW and Harris’s proprietary ANW-2waveform, among others. (AR Modular RF)

Thousands of AR50 amplifiers have beenmanufactured by AR Modular RF. Thesesupport legacy waveforms, and also newwaveforms developed as a consequence ofthe JTRS programme. The companyemphasizes that these amplifiers are‘transceiver agnostic’. (AR Modular RF)

Harris’s AN/PRC-152 is inwidespread use with the USArmy. The radio covers the 30-512Mhz VHF/UHF range andsupports Sincgars waveformsand also includes the APCO-P25waveform to link outwards tocivilian communicationssystems. (US Army)

33Compendium Radios 2013

various programmes will decrease, increaseor change in scope and reach over thecoming years. That said a consensus seemsto be emerging that armies around theworld need wideband long-rangenetworking at all echelons, most noticeablyin the hands of the individual solder.Satellite communications is increasinglyforming a standard part of an army’stactical communications suite of systemsand readers are advised to consult Armada’srecently published articles exploringsatcoms for more information, while highbandwidths are in high demand. Arguably,the world of land tactical communications isstill someway behind its better-fundedcivilian cellular counterpart in terms offunctionality and reach but it is catchingup, and catching up fast!

I 3MAlthough extremely well known in thecivilian word for a wide range of products,3M is involved in the production of tactical

radio accessories. In particular, the firmproduces a handsome range of radioheadsets. Often inadvertently neglectedheadset technology is one of the fastestmoving areas of the tactical radio domain,with recent combat operations highlightingthe need to ensure that soldiers can hearradio traffic clearly; have their earsprotected and at the same time are aware ofnecessary ambient noise to ensure theirsituational awareness. 3M’s radio headsetproduct line includes the Comtac-series ofnext-generation headsets and a variety ofpush-to-talk and microphone accessories.The company says that new products are inthe pipeline, which it expects to bring tomarket soon.

3M PELTOR 17

ASELSAN 25

AR MODULAR 29

BARRETT 15

BRIDEX 31

DATRON 7

EURONAVAL C3

GDC4S C4

HARRIS C2

INVISIO 27

ULTRALIFE 11

I INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

Compendium Radio 2013Supplement to Issue 5/2013Volume 37, Issue No. 5, October 2013

INTERNATIONALis published bi-monthly by Media Transasia Ltd.Copyright 2012 by Media Transasia Ltd.

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ON THE COVER: Military radios, like otherdefence products are suffering from budget cutsin the Western world, but the new technologiesintroduced in recent years – particularly theiroperation through software – are giving them asecond lease of life in emerging markets.

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Weighing a mere 145 grams, Invisio’s V60hearing protection system can be configuredby the user to tailor it to the specifics of theirmission. The company offers a number ofheadset options to the customer, and remotewireless control boxes. (Invisio)


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Armada oct nov 2013 compendium radio

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