Compendium by armada

Tactical Radios

2012-13

armada international: The trusted source for defence technology information since 1976
 ultralife innovation
powering communications

a-320 Family
20-Watt manportable tactical amplifiers
Ultralife’s family of 20-watt amplifiers continues to grow. Ultralife offers tactical, 20-watt amplifiers for applications including manportable,
vehicular, and UAV/space use. Additionally, the A-320 family supports JTRS waveforms such as SRW, ANW2, EPLRS, DAMA, HAVEQUICK,
and SINCGARS. The new A-320V2 provides PR4G support in all modes of operation.
▶ Cost effective performance increase to handheld radios
▶ Lightweight; most units weigh 24 ounces (.68 kilograms)
▶ Combat proven

UB0032
primary battery
The UB0032 is a non-rechargeable battery
with 110% more capacity than the BA-5590U.
▶ 12 yr. shelf-life w/80% capacity
▶ 15V/30V - 16Ah/32Ah - 480Wh

a-320HVA
handheld vehicle adapter
The A-320HVA is the ideal “jerk-and-run” solution
for communications on the move. Now you can use
UBBL35 almost any handheld in your vehicle with our A-320
conformal battery series of 20-watt tactical amplifiers.
The UBBL35 is a rechargeable, conformal ▶ Adapts to tactical and non-standard vehicles
15V battery that is wearable and easily concealed. ▶ Use the same handheld - mounted
▶ Supports Smart Battery Data Spec V1.1 or dismounted
- SMBus Spec V1.1 ▶ Universal radio pocket accepts 16 radios
▶ 15V - 8Ah - 120Wh (includes variants)

Made in the USA

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 The use of satellite communications
is becoming increasingly important,
especially for deployed ground units
as this gets around range and terrain
restrictions which can affect HF, VHF and
UHF radio transmissions. (US Army)

46 Mbits/sec to 9.6 Gbytes/sec

in Ten Years!
The military historian Danny M. Johnson
described radio as the basis for the 20th Century’s
communications revolution. For the military, as for
the civilian world, it is not overstating the point to
say that the advent of radio communications has
changed almost everything.

Thomas Withington

S
ince its first use en masse
during the Great War, up to
the Global War on Terror and
beyond military tactical radio
has helped soldiers to see ever further
through the Clausewitzian ‘Fog of
War’. Almost one hundred years ago,
before the slaughter in Flanders and
Champagne was to begin, the most
communication that a radio could
handle was voice traffic, morse code
and telegrams.
Simplistic as this may seem today,
these limited capabilities paved the way
for the huge range of communications
traffic which can be handled by modern
military radio systems. Voice, internet
services, battle management information;
and geolocation and cartographic data
can all be moved around the battlefield at
light speed from the individual infantry
soldier, to his or her comrades and back
to higher echelons of command and even
to national leaders. Witness how President
Barak Obama was able to watch the special
forces raid which killed Osama bin Laden,
codenamed Operation Neptune Star,
unfold on live video feed sent directly
from the US Navy Seal special forces
commandoes participating in the attack.

armada Compendium Tactical Radios 4/2012 1

 Thales’s HF-3000 SkyF@st is a digital HF
software-defined voice and high-speed
data communications system. This radio
can achieve data rates of up to 9.6
megabits-per-second and contains a
built-in GPS system. (Thales)
Contact Programme
The vital importance that tactical radio
plays in today’s military operations is
underscored by the significant ongoing
activity in this domain. For example, in
May this year, the French armed forces
announced a major programme to
upgrade their tactical communications
via the ‘Contact’ programme. Thales will
supply a new Software Defined Radio
(SDR), the majority of which will be used
by the army, with sets also equipping
the air force and navy. The first of these
new radios will enter service in circa
2018 equipping armoured vehicles
and dismounted infantry. A second
phase of the programme will be
launched after this to outfit air force
platforms and naval vessels with new
communications. In total, the Contact
programme could be eventually worth
up to €4 billion. The intention of the
programme is to replace the Thales
PR4G F@stNet family of tactical
radios currently used by the French
armed forces. On 22nd July, Thales was
awarded the development contract for
the Contact programme.
The roll-out of Contact will mark an
important milestone for the European
Secure Software Defined Radio (Essor)
programme which was launched in
2009. Involving Finland, France, Italy,
Poland, Spain and Sweden it is aimed
2 armada Compendium Tactical Radios
at developing common standards for JTRS
software-defined radio design and Arguably the world’s largest tactical radio
production. The Essor has established programme is the United States’ Joint
a high data rate standard waveform Tactical Radio System (JTRS) initiative.
which will allow interoperability with the Several aspects of the JTRS are discussed
United States armed forces. The Contact in detail below, although the programme
programme will eventually leverage has passed through some important
much of the development work already milestones since Armada International
concluded within Essor. Part of the last examined the tactical radio world in
Contact programme will ensure that the its Compendium last year. In June 2011, the
Thales PR4G tactical radios currently in first so-called ‘quick look’ laboratory test
service with the French armed forces will for the JTRS Soldier Radio Waveform was
be interoperable with the new Contact
waveforms as they are rolled out. This
will assist the smooth transition between
France’s current tactical radios, and the
new radios which will be fielded as a
result of the Contact initiative.
Indian Requirements
Several companies, meanwhile, are
under consideration to fulfil an Indian
Army contract to outfit the force with
a new tactical communications system.
Larsen and Toubro, Tata Power and
Bharat Electronics Limited are in the
running to satisfy this requirement
for new radios under the Tactical
Communications System (TCS)
programme. These companies will
now submit a Detailed Project Report
following which the Indian Ministry of
Defence will downselect a bidder. The
TCS programme will replace the legacy
radios which are currently used by the
force. Under the terms of the programme,
the Indian government will provide up
to 80 percent of the development funds
for the programme, with the rest being
provided by industry.
4/2012
completed and demonstrated the possibility
of inter-company communications using
this waveform.
That said, the JTRS programme has
suffered its share of challenges. In May
2011, the US Army announced that costs
for the Ground Mobile Radio (GMR)
component of JTRS had increased by
50 percent, triggering the activation of
the famous Nunn-McCurdy breach. The
US Government Accountability Office
reported that development costs for the
GMR had grown by almost 70 percent
between 2002 and 2011. A reduction in
the US Army’s order size for the GMR
which decreased from 86,209 GMRs to
10,293 also helped to create an increase
in the radio’s unit price.
The work being performed by the
United States on the JTRS, coupled with
the French and Indian procurement
programmes constitute three of the
many ongoing tactical communications
modernisation initiatives being carried
out around the world.
Aselsan
Turkey’s Aselsan continues to provide
tactical radios in the form of the
company’s 5712 Soldier Radio, PRC-9651
multi-band multi-mode handheld radio,
PRC/VRC-9661 multi-band, multi-mode
manpack and vehicular radios, and the
SDNIR family of tactical radios.
The 5712 Soldier Radio has a small
form factor and performs full duplex
communications for voice and data
traffic. In rural terrain, this radio has a
range of up to one kilometre, with up
to 24 hours’ operation provided by the
battery pack.
The PRC-9651 multi-band, multi-
mode handheld system operates across
30-512 Megahertz (Mhz) and provides
full duplex packet data services at a rate
of 64 kilobits-per-second (Kbps). The
PRC-9651’s sister product, the PRC/
VRC-9661 multi-band, multi-mode
manpack and vehicular radio covers
the High Frequency (HF), Very High
Frequency (VHF), and Ultra High
Frequency (UHF) bands. Meanwhile
the SDNIR family of radios includes
handheld, manpack, vehicular and fixed
station radios for secure voice, data and
imagery transmission.
Barrett Communications
Barrett Communications of Australia
is enjoying healthy business supplying
tactical radios and their accessories
around the world. On 25th August last
year the firm’s Barrett 2050HF mobile
and base station transceiver was certified
Technicians perform maintenance
on a US Army vehicular radio. With
the demise of the Ground Mobile
Radio segment of the American JTRS
programme, a new effort is being made
to acquire a mobile transceiver to equip
US military units. (US Army)
Barrett Communications produces a
range of tactical radios, and last year
had its 2050HF certified by the US
Joint Interoperability Test Command
for interoperability and Automatic Link
Establishment performance.
(Barrett Communications)
by the US Joint Interoperability Test
Command (JITC). This certification
effectively recognises the conformance
of the Barrett 2050HF transceiver with
Military Standard 188-141B. This is
a US military standard which covers
interoperability and performance
requirements for HF radio systems, and
includes standards for Automatic Link
Establishment (ALE).
This certification now means that
the Barrett 2050HF is recognised as
interoperable with other HF radios
transceivers which have been certified
by the JITC. This is particularly useful
when US forces are operating with HF-
equipped non-Nato or Partnership for
Peace allies; namely countries which are
not formal members of Nato, but which
wish to work closely with the Alliance.
Cobham
Cobham is one of several companies
that have unveiled new products over
the past twelve months, notably in the
form of its Internet Protocol Mesh
Radio. The set can be used to form
fluid, self-healing networks enabling
non-line-of-sight communications.
This allows voice, video, imagery and
data communications to be transmitted
across significant ranges and enables a
armada Compendium Tactical Radios 4/2012 3
wireless network to be established on
the move.
Cobham is also heavily involved
in the Darpa’s Wireless Network after
Next (WnaN) initiative. Although the
US DoD is currently heavily involved
in the JTRS the Pentagon is thinking
about how it will connect its soldiers
and military platforms beyond the
JTRS in the future. The WNaN initiative
looks into self-forming adaptive ad-hoc
communications networks that can
be quickly established and activated
to reduce the planning burden when
building a wireless network. In addition
it also aims at increasing data throughput
compared to currently available
4 armada Compendium Tactical Radios
communications networks to offer good
network size, scalability and ease of use.
Ultimately, the programme will outfit the
military with an affordable radio which
can connect every person, platform
and device at the tactical level. Darpa
and Cobham are moving the WNaN
forward via a series of evaluations and
demonstrations of WNaN node networks.
These demonstrations have included an
evaluation of a network containing up
to 100 WNaN nodes at Fort Benning,
Georgia, in the United States last year.
Along with its work on the WNaN
programme, Cobham provides the
Eagle Close Combat Radio (CCR). This
standalone section radio can be used
Codan’s 2110 transceiver has been
designed as an all-purpose HF manpack
radio. The radio can be used for a
range of applications and has been
ergonomically designed. The company
claims that the radio is the most rugged
that it has ever produced. (Codan)
with the company’s vehicle intercom
system. The Eagle CCR provides full
duplex voice communications, and
separate data networks.
Codan
Headquartered in Newton, South
Australia, Coban showcased a new
product during this year’s Eurosatory
defence exhibition in Paris – Envoy
SDR software-defined radio. This HF
software-defined radio uses a common
digital platform that can be easily
upgraded to support new software
standards and applications as and when
they become available. To ease the
deployment of the Envoy configurations
can be downloaded into the radios on
a network with configurations saved
and ported to other radios as they
join the network, rather than having
to programme each radio individually.
The radio can directly interface with
an Internet Protocol (IP) network
without having to be routed through
an external modem or PC. Several
foreign languages can be supported by
the Envoy in a similar way to choosing
the language option on a civilian
mobile phone. Last but by no means
The Codan 2110M HF manpack radio is
interoperable with both commercial and
military-grade radios. It also includes
advanced encryption and frequency-
hopping to preserve security. (Codan)
4/2012
 Cobham’s Mincan improves battlefield
communications by providing a compact
interference cancellation system.
Essentially this works to remove mutual
interference caused by several closely-
located RF transceivers. (Cobham)

use of both Global Positioning System

and non-GPS time synchronisation.

least the radios have an embedded
software modem supporting email
and chat applications at a rate of up to
6Kbps. Also showcased at Eurosatory
was Codan’s 3G ALE (Automatic Link
Establishment) standard which allows
a data throughput rate of between
0.075 to 9.6Kbps even over noisy HF
channels. Codan’s 3G ALE allows for
faster link establishment thanks to its
Datron
Also present at this year’s Eurosatory
exhibition was Datron World
Communications of California. One of
the peculiarities of this San Diego-based
company is to almost entirely focus its
radio systems marketing strategy on the
export market and develops a wide range
of sets to suit many different requirements
and as differing pocket depths. On 20th
March, the company announced that it
had received certification from the JITC
for its RT7700 tactical HF transceiver.
The certification confirms that the radio
conforms to Military Standard 188-141B
(see above) regarding ALE specifications.
Datron’s RT7700 is a digital HF radio
which can be used either as a desktop or
rack-mounted configuration for voice
and data communications.

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w wCompendium
w . e l bTactical
i t s Radios e m s . c o m5
y s t 4/2012

Datron Communications’ PRC7700H HF
SDR manpack is JITC certified and can
be used in either a manpack or desktop
configuration, supporting voice and data
communications. (Armada/EHB)
The RT7700 is joined by several other
products in the company’s portfolio
including the RT7700H IP-addressable
HF SDR. Long distance communications
can be provided by the RT7000 tactical
HF radio which can be used as a vehicular
or fixed system radio. An HF manpack
in the form of the PRC1099A
transceiver is available 20
watts of output power. VHF
In terms of handheld
radios, Datron produces
the HH7700 VHF/FM radio
which has three selectable
500mW, 2W and 5W
power output settings. A
standard battery offers up
to ten hours of endurance,
while 18 hours of
endurance can be ensured
with an accompanying
high-capacity battery.
(Armada/EHB)
6 armada Compendium Tactical Radios
communications are taken care of using
the firms’ famous PRC2100V Spectre-V
transceiver, which is highly robust
against electronic countermeasures,
offering communications security and
embedded GPS services. The PRC2100V
is available either in 75W mobile or
10W manpack configuration. Another
member of the Spectre-V family is the
PRC2150 transceiver which provides
tactical VHF communications and
is available in either 10W manpack
or 75W mobile configurations. The
radio includes 100 programmable
memory channels, embedded GPS,
optional encryption and excellent harsh
environment performance. In addition,
Datron produces a tactical VHF/FM 5W
manpack via its PRC1077 set, which is
available in a 50W mobile form. This
radio can be immersed in up to one
metre of water and has a long mission
life thanks to its low power consumption.
As a complement to the handheld
radios, Datron manufactures the PRC-
1070-5/1080-5 VHF/FM squad radios
offering 100mW and 5W of output
power. While the PRC-1080/5 offers
4/2012
Datron’s RT7700 HF radio is an IP-
addressable system which can support
voice and data communications. The
radio can be used in either a desktop
or rack-mounted configuration and can
be customised with a range of specific
accessories. (Armada/EHB)
built-in partial or full frequency hopping
and digital encryption, the addition of a
single module will allow the PRC-1070-5
to be upgraded to a similar standard.
Gilcat and Elektrobit
Eurosatory also saw Gilat Satcom
unveil its Suricate Iridium link and
Iridium Tactical Radio Dynamic Relay
systems. The former uses the Iridium
communications satellite constellation
to connect remote and underground
facilities to the Iridium network. This is
facilitated by the use of an antenna that
can be positioned up to six kilometres
from the facility utilising the link.
Satellite communications can be sent
and received by up to three satellite
telephones. The Iridium Tactical Radio
Dynamic Relay system can be used to
connect headquarters units to tactical
communications networks via the
Iridium network. Deliveries have already
started to customers in the United States
and Europe.
Finland’s Elektrobit demonstrated
its Tactical Wireless IP Network at
Eurosatory. The Tactical Wireless IP
Network essentially uses a broadband
wireless architecture across a mobile
ad hoc network which can be deployed
in any location, according to the
company. This enables the formation
of an independent IP network which
are compatible with existing deployed
communications infrastructures.
Elbit Systems
Israel’s Elbit Systems has had a busy
year with the release of its MSR-3000
man-portable Special Forces satellite
communications system. The MSR-
3000 provides broadband satcoms via a
single compact unit. The highly rugged
design of the MSR-3000 provides good
performance in even the most harsh
operating conditions with low power
consumption. The MSR-3000 forms part
of Elbit Systems’ InterSky 4M satcom
broadband tactical communications set
which can deliver voice, data and video
communications for static, mobile and
deployed users.
 Amongst other Datron hand-held
applications, but more civilian-oriented,
is the Guardian II. A tri-band VHF set, it
has recently passed the Project 25 CAP
test, which is a voluntary programme
aimed at assessing a product’s against
25 quality requirements. (Armada/EHB)
The company’s Special Forces
communications portfolio has been
further enhanced via the Tadiran PNR-
1000A personal network radio. Designed
to provide permanent, continuous
communications in challenging urban
warfare environments where built-
up areas can play havoc with tactical
communications, the PNR-1000A offers
full duplex voice communications,
dynamic network architecture and
connectivity to long-range networks. Up
to six speakers can be accommodated
using intra-team wireless conferencing
with the ability to link back to long-haul
HF and V/UHF networks via a vehicular
tactical radio.
At the command post level, Elbit
Systems has designed the Tadiran GRX-
4000 dual-band high-capacity line-of-
sight broadband radio relay system.
The product offers dual mode and dual
band communications with data transfer
rates of up to 100 megabits-per-second
(Mpbs) and line-of-sight ranges in excess
of 40km.
Meanwhile, Elbit’s line of handheld
software-defined radios has grown with
the development of the Tadiran SDR-
7200HH radio which offers simultaneous
voice, video and data transmissions using
a single narrowband 25khz channel,
with a wideband channel being used
for high speed data traffic. Combining
these narrowband and wideband high-
Elbit Systems’ Tadiran PRC-710MB
multi-band radio weighs under 800
grams with the company claiming that
the system is one of the lightest and
most advanced radios of its kind on the
market. (Elbit Systems)
armada Compendium Tactical Radios 4/2012 7
performance waveforms the radio can
handle data at a speed of 115kbps across
the 25khz V/UHF channel, and up to
1Mbps across the UHF channel.
General Dynamics
General Dynamics was involved in the
largest deployment yet of JTRS-HMS
AN/PRC-155 Manpack, AN/PRC-154
Rifleman Radios and the Warfighter
Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T)
in mid-May so as to allow the US Army to
operationally evaluate the next generation
of the force’s high-speed ground forces
communications systems.
The WIN-T high-speed, high-capacity
communications backbone links
warfighters to the American Department
of Defence’s Global Information Grid. The
WIN-T is being rolled out in a series of
increments, with Increment-2 being put
through its paces during this deployment
at White Sands Missile Range, New
Mexico. Increment-2 extends
the network to company level
and provides an initial on-the-
move capability from Division
to Company level.
In February this year,
General Dynamics also
demonstrated secure voice
and data communications
using its AN/PRC-155 JTRS
HMS radio using the Mobile
User Objective System (Muos)
satcom waveform. This provides
encrypted, beyond-line-of-sight
communications with a global
reach. Given that the
AN/PRC-155 carries two
channels, one channel
can be used for line-of-
sight communications
which can then link to the
second channel carrying
the Muos waveform
permitting worldwide
communications.
Elbit System’s Tadiran
PNR-1000A personal
network radio is
optimised to provide
communications in
built-up areas which
can traditionally pose
difficulties for tactical
radio systems. The PNR-
1000A offers full duplex
voice communications.
(Elbit Systems)
8 armada Compendium Tactical Radios
The company received an order
from the DoD in July last year for the
production of AN/PRC-154 and AN/
PRC-155 radios of which General
Dynamics will produce 6,250 and 100
respectively. General Dynamics and
Thales (see below) will build the AN/
PRC-154 radios with General Dynamics
and Rockwell Collins manufacturing
the AN/PRC-155 systems. Along with
commencing AN/PRC-154 production,
the firm announced in December
2011 that the Initial Operational Test
and Evaluation of this radio had been
completed. This was the last military-
mandated test prior to the radios entering
production.
Harris
The name Harris is synonymous with
tactical communications and the
company is currently engaged in fulfilling
a range of orders for customers across
the world. On 14th May, it announced
an indefinite delivery, indefinite
quantity contract for AN/PRC-117G
Falcon-III radios to be supplied to
the United States Air Force. The AN/
PRC-117G can perform mobile ad hoc
networking and be used for voice and
data communications. Harris also says
that the AN/PRC-117G is the first JTRS
Software Communications Architecture-
certified and National Security Agency
Type-1 certified wideband manpack radio.
A similar contract was concluded on 18th
April to supply AN/PRC-117G manpacks
4/2012
The SDR-7200HH handheld SDR is one
of Elbit Systems’ latest products. The
radio performs simultaneous voice,
video and data transmissions, and can
perform data transfer rates of up to one
megabit-per-second. (Elbit Systems)
to the United States Special Operations
Command. Earlier that same month,
Harris had secured an indefinite delivery,
indefinite quantity contract to supply
Unity land mobile radios as part of the
United States Marine Corps Enterprise
Land Mobile Radio programme. This
will outfit first responders at Marine
Corps bases across the world with Unity
XG-100M and XG-100P full spectrum
multiband radios. The Corps is also
acquiring AN/PRC-117G manpack
radios alongside AN/VRC-114 vehicular
amplifier adapters to equip the service’s
Mine-Resistance Ambush Protected
(Mrap) vehicles. The acquisition of these
radios will provide satcom on-the-move
services for the Mrap vehicles. A contract
was also concluded in October last year
to provide AN/PRC-117G radios for
the US Army as part of an initiative to
modernise the service’s Brigade Combat
Team tactical communications. These
radios will be delivered to the army along
with AN/VRC-114 amplifier adapters.
Along with the AN/PRC-117G and
Unity XG-100M/P radios, Harris was
contracted in January 2012 to provide
AN/PRC-152A Falcon-III handheld
radios to the Department of Defence.
The company says that the AN/PRC-
 Of course, the range of coverage offered
by a tactical radio net often needs to be
increased both in terms of traffic handled
and geographical footprint. This is where the
EID’s ER-525V comes in. Offering both a
range extension node, and a gateway
between tactical radio nets, the ER-525V
includes two 50W PRC-525 transceivers
with the whole system handling voice and
data communications at up to 64 kilobits-
per-second capacity. Three modes of
operation are available with the ER-525V
includingHarris
fixedCommunications is also
frequency, digital fixed
responsible for the RF-7800T-HH
frequencySituational
and frequency-hopping
Awareness Video options.
Receiver
which is available in a handheld
I SMARTconfiguration.
BATTERIES The RF-7800T-HH includes
Effectively
anany tacticalGPS
embedded radio
and is
haslittle more
99 channel
presets. (Harris)
than a box of wires and circuit boards
without an accompanying power supply. Germany's Imtradex manufactures a range of tactical radio accessories. These include
152A NSA-Type-1 certified handheld
Microradio
Power Electronics
allows provides
dismounted troopsa towide
send the Aurelis handheld microphone which can be used alongside a number of
array of batteries specifically intended
and receive voice, data and video imagery, to different tactical radio systems. (Imtradex)
powerandtactical radios.
forms the next The of firm’s
generation the AN/
rechargeable batteries
PRC-152(C) are available
handheld radio.in NiMH,
The AN/ seven years. These primary batteries are health to the user via an integral circuit
The US Army’s Command Post Node has
Li-IronPRC-152A
and lithium-Polymer
supports theconfigurations.
Harris Adaptive manufactured in various
and tactical satellite lithium
communications located in the battery pack, which can
been designed for rapid deployment
Customers requiring
Networking disposable
Wideband Waveformbatteries
along combinations
waveforms, including
along with lithium sulphur
waveforms provide
and a run-time
uses a High-band withinRadio
Networking one percent
can optwith
for Sincgars (Singlelithium
the company’s Channel Ground
primary supported
dioxide by otherthionyl
and lithium combatchloride.
net radios. accuracy during
which offers theencryption
Type-1 entire lifeand
span of the
and Airborne
cells which can be used Radio System),
straight off theVHF and
shelf, Harris has also recently concluded
Meanwhile, Micro Power Electronics’ line battery.
which can link users to the SiprNet and
UHF line-of-sight communications,
even when they have been stored for up to a number of contracts with customers
of Smart Batteries can communicate their NiprNet services to
High-power brigade
micro and
fuel below
cells also provide
HaveQuick UHF frequency hopping abroad. These have included a $12.4 formations. (US Army)

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 million order from a Latin American
customer for an integrated wireless
voice and data network to provide
communications between government
officials and the armed services. The
contract includes the provision of Harris’s
OpenSky land mobile radio system which
supports public safety communications
and which can integrate with military
tactical radio communications via the
company’s NetworkFirst interoperability
gateway. Federal officials will receive
the company’s P5400 portable and
M5300 mobile radios, with Harris RF-
5800H and RF-5800V HF manpack and
handheld radios providing beyond line-
of-sight communications, along with a
lightweight radio for line-of-site traffic.
RF-5800H Falcon-III HF manpack
sets, lightweight body-worn RF-7800S
wideband Secure Personal Radios
and RF-5800M Falcon-II multiband
handheld systems are being supplied to
the Government of Iraq under a contract
worth $51 million which the company
announced on 8th March.
Harris’s Falcon family has sold well
around the Middle East with the company
announcing in March a contract from an
undisclosed Middle Eastern nation to
supply RF-7800S radios, RF-7800V VHF
Combat Net Radios, and RF-7800W High
Capacity Line-of-Sight systems. This is in
addition to the RF-5800M and RF-5800H
sets (see above) which will be supplied
as part of the contract. AN/PRC-152(C)
radios are meanwhile being procured by
the Australian Department of Defence as
part of a $235 million contract to help
fulfil the country’s Joint Project 2072
tactical communications modernisation
programme. Brazil has also joined the
Falcon family, following a contract
worth $10.7 million for the acquisition
of RF-7800V vehicular and RF-7800S
Secure Personal Role (SPR) radios. The
RF-7800V handheld combat net radios
will be teamed with the company’s RF-
7800V-V501 vehicular amplifier adapter
for use in tanks, armoured personnel
carriers and logistics vehicles.
In terms of European customers,
Poland has awarded Harris a $5
million contract to supply AN/PRC-
117G multiband manpack radios for
Harris’s RF-5800H-MP high-frequency
radio is the most advanced manpack
radio currently available, according to
the company. It features third-generation
Automatic Link Establishment. (Harris)

10 armada Compendium Tactical Radios 4/2012

C30759.005_Thales_BATTLEGROUP_Armada_Aug12_276x216_v1_battlegroup 05/07/2012 15:50 Page 1

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 The US Army’s Secret Internet Protocol
Router Network, better known as
SiprNet, uses a number of different
communications systems, including the
AN/PRC-152 to move around data traffic
classified as secret. (US Army)
ground-to-ground and ground-to-
air communications. Similar radios
are also being acquired by Canada,
following a contract concluded with
Harris in August last year. As well as
receiving AN/PRC-117G radios, the
Government of Canada ordered the RF-
7800B tactical communications systems
to provide Canadian AN/PRC-117G
users with a secure beyond line-of-sight
communications system.
Much as Harris has been fulfilling its
obligations for deliveries to its customers
within and beyond the United States, it
has also been unveiling new products. In
February 2012, the company unveiled
its Harris Falcon Networking System.
This effectively allows video, data and
command and control services to be
delivered to the user via cloud computing
techniques. Effectively, this new product
combines a computer server with a
Falcon-III wideband tactical radio. The
radio can be used to access applications
12 armada Compendium Tactical Radios
which are held on the computer server. Assistant (PDA). The addition of a PDA
The Falcon Networking System enables allows the user to support cartographic
users to access these services using applications alongside voice, data,
ruggedized tablets and smartphones via video and imagery communications. It
a 4G tactical cellular module. effectively is an upgrade to the Harris’s
During the same month, the firm Team Radio and forms the core of the
unveiled two new high-performance company’s Falcon Fighter modular
waveforms; Quicklook-3 and Quicklook- soldier modernisation system.
Wide. The latter frequency-hoping During the Eurosatory exhibition in
waveform provides up to 64Kbps of data June 2012, Harris introduced its RF-
while Quicklook-3 provides an ultra- 7800H Falcon-III wideband manpack
high speed frequency-agile performance. radio, which the company claims is the
These waveforms are available on Harris world’s “smallest, lightest and fastest
RF-7800V VHF handheld Falcon-III wideband high-frequency radio.” The
combat net radios. The company says RF-7800H can be used to transmit video
that the introduction of the Quicklook-3 data, pictures, maps and large files over-
on this product makes it the only tactical the-horizon using HF transmissions. The
frequency-hopping radio with such agility. firm claims that the data rate offered are
RF7800H – In May of this year, Harris “up to ten times greater than current HF
won a contract worth $75 million to manpacks.” At the same time, the radio,
supply Falcon-III multiband manpack which can function on a single battery,
radios to the United States Air Force. is around 20 percent smaller than other
The radios will provide a range of services previous HF manpacks on the market,
to the Air Force which will be operated according to Harris literature. The
by ground controllers and combat Software Communications Architecture-
controllers. (Harris) based operating system allows the radio to
In terms of new radio products, Harris be upgraded with ease and the company
has unveiled the RF-7800S-LR Leader says that it can offer an alternative to
Radio which has embedded geo-location, Satcom for long-range data transmission.
encryption and a built-in Personal Data In addition to the RF-7800H Falcon-
4/2012
2110M Codan CNR2000 Selex
1.6 to 30 MHz 2.9 kg 1.6 to 60 MHz 3.7 kg

Power: 5 or 25 Watts Power: 10 to 25 Watts

Waveforms: Mil-STD-188-110A/B and Stanag-4539 Waveforms: CW (J2A), USB/LSB/FM voice, FSK, NPSK phase
Encryption: Wideband and band-limited frequency hopping shift keying and NQAM
and voice encoding Encryption: Proprietary transec, comsec
Notes: Supplied to Afghan Border Police and Kyrgyz Republic Notes: Elos/blos/los, embedded GPS; HF-to-HF/VHF-to-HF
recently completed training. rebroadcast, Gen-3 Ale.

HF-6000HDR Elbit Tadiran HH7700 Datron

1.5 to 30 MHz 3.9 kg 30 to 88 MHz *VHF 0.48 kg
Power: 20 Watts manpack/125 vehicular Power: 0.5, 2 or 5 Watts
Waveforms: Voice/data, CW Waveforms: Simplex over FM
Encryption: Digital/analogue encryption Encryption: Optional voice scrambler
Notes: Selective calling, digital squelch, pro­-prietary Notes: Splash proof, alphanumeric LCD, 2320 or 4640
orthogonal and synchronous networks w/o master station, channels (*300 Hz to 3 MHz FM), Vox and Whisper modes.
data up to 9.6 kbps, adaptive data algorithm, frequency
hopping ECCM.

PR4G F@stnet Thales PRC-117G Harris

30 to 88 MHz 0.87 kg 30 MHz to 2 GHz 5.4 kg
Power: 2 Watts hand-held (see notes) Power: 10 or 25 Watts (20 in Satcom mode)
Waveforms: F@stnet, isochronous TDMA Waveforms: Sincgars, Have Quick II, VHF, UHF, AM, HPW,
Encryption: ECCM against narrow- and broadband jammers Dama, ANW2, 181B Tacsat

Notes: Radio family uses Mux mode, continuous voice and Encryption: Sierra II NSA-certified Type I
data, 10 Watts manpack 50 vehicle. Notes: IP-based wideband networking radio, transmits 5
Mbps over tactical Internet, 50,000th radio delivered to
USMC April 2010.

PRC-710 Elbit Tadiran PRC1099A Datron

30 to 88 MHz
Power: 5 Watts (20 w/amp)
Waveforms: Mil-STD-188-110A/B and Stanag-4539
Encryption: Frequency hopping and voice
Notes: Up to 16 kbps data with adaptive algorithm,
orthogonal network, full freq band.
0.7 kg 1.6 to 30 MHz 5.1 kg
Power: 5, 20, 100 and 400 Watts
Waveforms: Simplex or half-duplex USB, LSB, CW, and Ame
Encryption: Embedded ECCM and Comse
Notes: 100 programmable channels, Fed-Std-1054 Ale,
built-in test, 5 Watts continuous duty.

RF-3010M-HH Harris RF-7800M-MP Harris

30 to 512 MHz 1.2 kg 30 MHz to 2 GHz 3.6 kg
Power: 0.25 to 5 Watts Power: 20 Watts
Waveforms: VHF, UHF, AM, FM (Type 1 AES) Waveforms: Narrowband VHF low, VHF high, UHF low.
Encryption: Type 1 Suite B AES, Type 3 AES, Des-OFB Wideband UHF, ANW2
Notes: First tactical to receive NSA certification for Encryption: AES 256-bit
Type 1 Suite B. Notes: Fixed, manpack or vehicular, embedded 12-channel
GPS, 2400 bps Melpe, ad hoc networking.

Soldier Radio-M ITT Spearhead ITT

30 to 88 MHz 0.73 kg 30 to 88 MHz 0.65 kg
Power: variable Wattage (see notes) Power: 0.1, 1* or 5 Watts
Waveforms: Soldier Radio Waveform, JTRS Bowman (JBW), Waveforms: Nato squelch, clear or secure voice, Sincgars,
capable of hosting others tactical Internet
Encryption: Programmable crypto subsystem Encryption: Secure orthogonal frequency hopping,
Notes: VHF 30-88MHz 5 W, UHF 225-450 MHz 2 W, L-band country-specific crypto
1250 - 1390/1710-1850 MHz 2 W, auto Gig connectivity. Notes: Embedded Ota position reporting, 12-channel GPS
receiver, *International version.

14 armada Compendium Tactical Radios 4/2012

armada Compendium Tactical Radios 4/2012
 A Compendium of
CNR-9000 Elbit Tadiran
30 to 108 MHz 3 kg
Power: 5 to 20 Watts
Waveforms: High data rate combat net radio EnHCDR ITT
Encryption: Orthogonal frequency hopping and 225 to 450 MHz 14 kg
anti-jamming
Power: adaptive up to 20 Watts
Notes: 32 kbps data transfer, optional vocoder, GPS,
streaming on-the-move video. Waveforms: VHF/HF Centaur network data backbone
Encryption: AES 256-bit
Notes: Supply UK MoD’s M-Dor in 2011 under $ 15 million
JTRS GMR Boeing contract. Now four Mbps data.
2.0 MHz to 2.0 GHz 0.76 kg
Power: In development
Waveforms: WNW, SRW, Sincgars, EPLRS, UHF satcom, HF
Microlight DH500 Raytheon
Encryption: Crypto subsystem
225 MHz to 2.0 GHz 0.76 kg
Notes: One-4 channels, completed field experiments March
2011, customer tests expected 3rd qtr 2011. Power: 0.1 to 4 Watts
Waveforms: Eight-hop relay, CPSM with DSSS, TDMA,
CDMA and FDMA
Encryption: AES for secure-but-unclassified transmission
PRC-148 Thales Notes: Web browser, VoIP, data, video and position info.
30 to 512 MHz 0.95 kg
Power: 0.5 to 5 Watts
Waveforms: Have Quick I/II, Sincgars
PRC-150(C) Harris
Encryption: NSA Type 1, Type II DES
1.6 to 60 MHz 4.7 kg
Notes: Supplied to the US Army in 2007. AN/PRC-148V3/V4
Power: 1, 5, 20 Watts
Jem upgrade makes it compatible with JTRS frequency range.
Waveforms: HF SSB, AM SSB, CW, VHF, FM, Melp, LPC-10
Encryption: NSA-certified Type 1, Melp vocoder, serial-tone
ECCM, coalition Citadel
PRC-2090 Barrett Notes: 75 programmable presets, Ale & datalink protocols,
1.6 to 30 MHz 5.2 kg wideband FSK data to 16 kbps.
Power: 10 or 30 Watts*
Waveforms: USB, LSB, AM, CW, AFSK, Ale
PRC2100V Datron
30 to 88 MHz 4.2 kg
Encryption: 5 or 25/sec freq hopping w/o master
station, Secure Call voice encryptor Power: 0.5 to 10 Watts *
Notes: 500 programmable channels, GPS tracking, digital Waveforms: VHF, voice, data, FM FF, simplex or half-duplex
crypto handset interface, *100 Watts in vehicle dock, Encryption: full/partial freq hopping, digital encryption
64-character SMS.
Notes: 12-chnl GPS, 16 Kbps data, * 0.5 to 75 W vehicle/fixed,
selective calling, voice priority
RF-7800S-TR Harris
350 to 450 MHz 0.30 kg
Power: 0.25, 1 or 2 Watts RF-7800-T-HH Harris
Waveforms: FSK or GMSK data/voice L/L/C-bands 1.2 kg

Encryption: Selectable Citadel II Asic or AES Power: works with Harris radios
Notes: Full-duplex to six talkers, GPS position report, range to Waveforms: L-, S-, C-bands FM, C-band FSK, L-band SOQPSK
one kilometre in jungle, automatic whisper mode. Encryption: Type 2 AES 128/256-bit
Notes: Situational Awareness Video Receiver, full-motion
video/sensor data from multiple platforms, streams video
into tactical manet.
Spearnet ITT
1.2 to 1.4 GHz 0.7 kg
Power: 0.6 Watts SR600 Kongsberg
225 to 400 MHz 0.7 kg
Waveforms: Mil-STD-188-110A/B and Stanag-4539, secure
voice/data/video Power: 0.1 to 1 Watts
Encryption: DSSS, AES 256-bit Waveforms: Multi-hop IP-based voice & data
Notes: Demonstrated out to a range of six km, AES key Encryption: Embedded AES 256-bit
management, tactical Lan on-the-move, IPv4, six Mbps Notes: Supports parallel voice networks, ad hoc IPv4 node
data burst. (DHCP/routing), five voice nets.

armada Compendium Tactical Radios 4/2012 15

armada Compendium Tactical Radios 4/2012
Tactical Radios F@stnet Twin
30 to 88/225 to 512 MHz
Power: 5 Watts UHF & VHF
Thales
>1 kg

EPLRS-XF-I Raytheon  Waveforms: PR4G F@stnet, CNR, iMux, Super­mux, St@rmille,

air-ground Nextwave
225 to 450 MHz 8 kg
Encryption: In development
Power: up to 50 Watts
Notes: Simultaneous voice/data, dual-channel SDR,
Waveforms: Enhanced position, IP Manet embedded GPS, 2D map facility.
Encryption: AES Encryption
Notes: Sales to Canada and Australia, up to 32 simultaneous
independent data paths, auto route establishment, MR300xU Rohde & Schwarz
manpack/vehicular/airborne. 25 to 30 MHz n/a
Power: 10 to 150 Watts (see notes)
Waveforms: Ale 2/3G, AM/FM, SSB, Stanag 4285 and 4246,
MPT3A Reutech
Secos, Have Quick I/II
118 to 400 MHz 5 kg
Encryption: Secom-H/-V/-P and digital voice vocoders
Power: 0.5 or 5 Watts Notes: Integrated GPS and position reporting, 72 kbps data,
Waveforms: Analogue voice, CVSD, TDMA, CSMA wide variety of waveforms.
Encryption: Vocoder, frequency hopping, digital encryptor
Notes: Customisable encryption algorithms, GPS position
reporting, 1 metre immersion/2 hours. PRC-154 GDC4S/Thales
5 to 15 GHz 1.1 kg
Power: 2 Watts UHF, 5 L-band
Waveforms: Soldier Radio Waveform voice and data,
PRC-152(C) Harris
UHF, L-band
30 to 512 MHz 1.1 kg
Encryption: Programmable NSA Type II comsec/transec
Power: 0.25 to 5 Watts (10 in Satcom mode)
Notes: Rifleman Radio, continuous location reporting. Lrip
Waveforms: Sincgars, VHF, UHF, AM, FM Have Quick, Satcom began 7 July 2011.
HPW, Dama, P25 option
Encryption: Sierra II programmable
Notes: Dagr, PLGR GPS interoperable, JTRS-approved, SCA- PRC-9661 Aselsan
compliant SDR. 30 to 512 MHz 1.4 kg
Power: 1, 2, 5, 10 Watts
PRC-9651 Aselsan
Waveforms: VHF/FM, UHF/WBNR, UHF AM/FM, A-CNR
30 to 512 MHz 1.4 kg
Encryption: Frequency hopping for digital voice and data
Power: 0.5, 1, 2.5, 4 Watts Notes: Multi-mode multi-mission SDR, 50 W power
Waveforms: VHF/FM, UHF/WBNR, UHF AM/FM, A-CNR amp available.
Encryption: Frequency hopping for digital voice and data
Notes: Multi-mode multi-mission SDR.

RT-1523 ITT
30 to 88 MHz 3.5 kg
RO Tactical Radio ITT Power: 0.1, 5, 50 Watts
DTCS/Iridium satcom 0.5 kg Waveforms: Sincgars, tactical Internet
Power: connects to PC Encryption: Transec, programmable Type 1, six frequency
Waveforms: HF voice and data hopping presets
Encryption: AES 256 voice/data Notes: Secure or clear frequency hopping, 2320 channels,
over-the-air remote fill. 500,000th Sincgars radio delivered to
Notes: OTM over horizon secure voice, up to five unique
US Army April 2010.
networks (soon ten), <400 km range, pole-to-pole comms
w/o need for geo sat link.
URC-200 (V2) GDC4S
30 to 420 MHz 4 kg
St@r Mille-S Thales Power: 0.15, 1 or 5 Watts
325 to 470 MHz 0.37 kg Waveforms: VHF/UHF/AM/FM, non-freq hopping
Power: 0.1 to 1 Watts Sincgars connectivity
Waveforms: High data-rate UHF Encryption: AM/FM clear and cipher text with
Encryption: Embedded AES 256-bit external comsec
Notes: Also available in vehicular and intra-platoon versions, Notes: Frequency Enhancement version covers 30 to 90 MHz,
whisper mode, up to 1.5 km in open terrain; 500 metres urban. range to 60 miles, debuted 1/2010.

16 armada Compendium Tactical Radios 4/2012

armada Compendium Tactical Radios 4/2012
Flexnet One Thales/R. Collins Flexnet Four Thales/R. Collins
30 to 512 MHz in development 2 MHz to 2 GHz 0.6 kg
Power: 50 Watts UHF & VHF Power: 50 Watts UHF & VHF, open in HF
Waveforms: Waveform customisation, supports Flexnet and Waveforms: Flexnet waveform, PR4G F@stnet, open to
PR4G F@stnet waveforms standard or national waveforms
Encryption: Programmable Infosec, customer-specific Encryption: Embedded & customer-specific encryption
encryption Notes: IP-compliant protocols, one to four simultaneous
Notes: SCA 2.2-compliant V/UHF narrow/wide-band, voice, data and video channels.
multimedia to six Mbps, first int’l SDR.

MR3000P Rohde & Schwarz MRC3005 Reutech

25 to 146 MHz n/a 33 to 88 MHz <5 kg
Power: 5 Watts Power: 0.5 or 5 Watts
Waveforms: VHF Secom-P digital EPM jam-resistant Waveforms: FM (F3E) NBFM, SSB, CPFSK, pi/4DQPSK,
waveform Link-ZA, Manet
Encryption: frequency hopping and digital encryption Encryption: Embedded, user customisable
Notes: M3TR family. Optional GPS receiver, remote control Notes: Fast frequency hopping, embedded GPS, position
unit, nine network presets. reporting, 64 kbps in TDMA or CSMA USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth
data interfaces.

PRC-155 GDC4S/R. Collins PRC-525A EID

2 MHz to 2.5 GHz 6.5 kg 1.5 to 512 MHz 5.9 kg
Power: 20 Watts Power: 0.01, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 10, 20 Watts
Waveforms: Soldier Radio Waveform, Muos, Sincgars, EPLRS, Waveforms: HF, VHF, V/UHF, Have Quick II, CNR, PRN, SCRA,
HF SSB w/Ale, Satcom IPoA, Secom H/V, Ale 2/3G
Encryption: Type 1 and 2 embedded comsec and transec Encryption: Frequency hopping and voice
Notes: Two-channel JTRS HMS manpack, four channels by Notes: Syllabic, tone, signal squelch, GPS mode, 72 kbps
networking. Lrip began 7 July 2011. OFDM data rate, 20-hour autonomy.

PSC-5D Raytheon PSC-14 Viasat

30 to 512 MHz 5.2 kg *1.6265 to 1.6605 GHz 11 kg
Power: 10 or 20 Watts Power: 20 Watts
Waveforms: Sincgars, Satcom, Dama, Have Quick I/II, AM, FM, Waveforms: QPSK and 16-Qam forward, 4-ary QPSK return
FSK, B/SB/DESB/SOQ PSK
Encryption: Type 1 Haipe v1.3.5, Firefly key generation
Encryption: Wide variety of voice and data encryption
Notes: Secure high-speed IP data/voice over Bgan,
capabilities, embedded comsec
(*transmit – 1.225 to 1.559 GHz receive).
Notes: NSA/JITC certified, Melpe vocoder, embedded tactical
Internet/joint range extension protocols, embedded IP stack.

RT-1702 ITT Soldier ISR Receiver L-3

30 to 88 MHz 3.5 kg Ku/C/S/L-bands 0.9 kg
Power: 0.1, 5, 10, 50 Watts Power: 3.5 Watts
Waveforms: Sincgars, secure voice, IP data Waveforms: FM, FSK, BPSK, O-QPSK
Encryption: Default orthogonal hopsets/six presets Encryption: Triple DES, AES
Notes: International Sincgars radio. 12-channel GPS, voice/ Notes: IP-based secure, digital/analogue data/ video ISR
data retransmit, position reporting, waypoint management, receiver/SDR designed for modular soldier systems.
four-km remote control.

Wavpac L-3 Linkabit WM600 Kongsberg

1.6 to 108 MHz 5.78 kg 225 to 400 MHz 4.1 kg
Power: 1, 5 or 20 Watts Power: 0.1 to 5 Watts
Waveforms: Mil-STD-188-110B, Qam, Stanag 4415, Waveforms: IPv4 multi-hop data or voice & data
WB FSK, Melpe Encryption: Embedded AES 256-bit, multi-hop voice
Encryption: AES, voice & data 128, 192 or 256-bit key length Notes: Long-range C4ISR SDR comms, 2.5 Mbps data,
Notes: HF, VHF, Internal GPS, immersion one metre for 30 provides DHCP routing..
minutes, 101 programmable presets.

armada Compendium Tactical Radios 4/2012 17

armada Compendium Tactical Radios 4/2012
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At the 2011 Idex exhibition in Abu Dhabi
Harris presented (from left to right) its
new range of RF-7800V-HH hand-held
VHF sets, the vehicular power amplifier
on which the hand-held docks, and
finally the RF-7800V-V51x Base radio
system. (Armada/EHB)
III, Harris unveiled the RF-7800M-
HH Falcon-III handheld tactical radio,
which has 5W of output power and
operates across the 30MHz to 512MHz
frequency range. This wideband radio
uses Harris’s Adaptive Networking
Wideband Waveform which enables
the transmission and reception of voice,
video and data traffic. The RF-7800M-
HH can be used with Harris’s RF-7800M-
MP wideband manpack radio.
During Eurosatory, Harris also
announced that it had introduced the
RF-7800W-OU500 high-capacity line-
of-sight radio. This can be used to form
the backbone for a wide-area battlefield
communications network to connect
brigade and battalion headquarters to
forward-deployed units at company
level and below. The data throughput
of the radio is in the order of 400Mbps,
with a dual-band capability which
takes the radios’ operating frequency
to 5.8GHz.
IAI
On 3 April this year, Israel Aerospace
Industries demonstrated its new Long
Term Evolution 4th Generation Tactical
Communication Network. Known as
the LTE TAC4G, the network allows
wideband communications between
different command echelons and military
units, facilitated with 4th Generation
cellular technology similar to that
Also particularly highlighted at the 2011
Idex exhibition were the Harris RF-7800S
person secure radio and RF-7400E-VP
video processor seen here (Armada/EHB)
found in military-specification secure
smartphones. The TAC4G architecture
includes a core LTE communications
network, LTE base stations, smart phones
and modems.
ITT Exelis
Across the Atlantic, ITT Exelis is heavily
involved in the United Kingdom’s
Bowman tactical communications
system which provides voice and data
services across HF, VHF and UHF
networks. A major milestone on the
Bowman programme was reached in
February 2012 with the announcement
that the company had delivered an
updated JTRS Bowman Waveform (JBW)
to the JTRS Information Repository. The
JBW allows American and British forces
to communicate with each other using
the secure VHF Bowman waveform.
Moreover, ITT Exelis is developing the
Soldier Radio-Multifunctional (SR-M)
SDR which will be delivered to Britain for
forthcoming JBW trials and assessments.
ITT Exelis is one of several companies
involved in the American JTRS initiative.
In October last year the JTRS Joint
Program Executive Officer certified the
company’s Common Core Operating
Environment as compliant with Software
Communications Architecture 2.2.2 (SCA
2.2.2) and Application Programming
Interface (API) standards. Any radios
offered for sale into the JTRS programme
have to be compatible with SCA and API
standards. The Common Core Operating
Environment forms a key part of ITT Exelis
Soldier Radio, Rifleman Radio and SideHat.
Certifying the Common Core
Operating Environment as JTRS
compliant will greatly reduce the
cost of porting SCA waveforms
into ITT tactical radios.
Staying with the JTRS,
ITT Exelis has teamed with
Northrop Grumman to
compete for the US Army’s
ITT Exelis’s Spearhead HF
radio was unveiled last year at
the DSEI defence exhibition in
Docklands. This SDR contains
a multiband transceiver for
HF and VHF traffic which can
support advanced waveforms
and encryption. (ITT Exelis)
armada Compendium Tactical Radios 4/2012 19

In May of this year, Harris won a contract
worth $75 million to supply Falcon-III
multiband manpack radios to the United
States Air Force. The radios will provide a
range of services to the Air Force which
will be operated by ground controllers
and combat controllers. (Harris)
new vehicle-mounted JTRS programme
known as the Mid-Tier Networking
Vehicle Radio (MNVR) which supersedes
the cancelled Boeing JTRS GMR (see
above). Should the two companies be
selected to fulfil the MNVR requirement,
they will provide their Freedom-350
multifunction radio. The DoD cancelled
the acquisition of the JTRS-GMR from
Boeing in October last year. The MNVR
programme is expected to equip eight
Brigade Combat Team-sized formations
with up to 1,000 radios, with around
100 radios equipping each formation.
Although Boeing will no longer provide
the JTRS-GMR to the DoD, the National
Security Agency is continuing the
certification of the JTRS-GMR wideband
networking waveforms which can then
be made available to the MNVR vendors
to help reduce costs.
ITT Exelis has secured some other
20 armada Compendium Tactical Radios
important export orders over the past
twelve months, not least of which has
been a contract to supply the Danish
Army with High Capacity Data Radios.
Over 100 of these systems will be supplied
to Denmark.
Other relatively new products
include the Spearhead HF radio which
was unveiled at last years’ Defence
and Security Equipment International
Exhibition in London. The Spearhead
HF Radio includes a multiband HF/
VHF transceiver in a software-defined
radio which can support digital voice,
geolocation, advanced data waveforms
and encryption. ITT Exelis says
that the Spearhead HF offers secure
interoperability with the Sincgars RT-
1702 and Spearhead VHF radios.
PacStar
In June PacStar of Oregon launched
the PacStar 3700 TacSat Nano “next-
generation” satellite radio. This
set can provide multiband voice
communications using a variety of
waveforms, ViaSat messaging services
and radio-over-internet-protocol (RoIP)
services. The PacStar 3700 can be used
alongside the AN/PRC-152 mutliband
radio. In fact, the PacStar 3700 package
includes two AN/PRC-152 multiband
Harris’s RF-7800W product line
provides quick-to-deploy high-capacity
line-of-sight point-to-point, or point-
to-multipoint communications. This
can allow high bandwidth data
communications between fixed and
mobile users. (Harris)
4/2012
Harris Communications’ AN/PRC-152
handheld multiband radio claims to be
the most widely deployed multi-band,
multi-mission radio available which
offers SCA-compliant Type-1 encryption.
(US Army)
radios, three two-channel RoIP gateways
and a PC to provide communications
management and written messaging.
The package includes batteries, battery
chargers, cabling, antennae, handsets
and amplifiers. The PacStar 3700
provides soldiers with UHF satellite
communications using the AN/PRC-
152 handsets, plus a RoIP capability
providing internet access and a gateway
for up to six radio networks, not to
mention the functionality provided by
the AN/PRC-152 handsets.
Raytheon
The giant American defence contractor
Raytheon seems to have a presence in a
myriad markets, and tactical radios is no
exception. In April this year, the company
announced that the DoD had accepted the
company’s Next Generation Mobile Ad
Hoc Networking Waveform (NMW) into
its JTRS waveform library. The company
says that this is the first occasion in which
a waveform not developed directly under
the JTRS programme, or as a legacy
programme, has been accepted into the
JTRS waveform library.
The NMW can enable high speed
applications such as live video streaming
from drones and real-time situational
awareness. Raytheon also uses this
 Claimed by the company
as the first international
radio offering wideband
communications and
networking, plus combat-
proven legacy voice
waveforms, the capabilities of
Harris’s RF-7800M-HH radio
are neatly enclosed in this
handheld system. (Harris)
waveform in its Mobile Ad
Hoc Interoperability Network
Gateway (Maingate) radio,
which arose from a joint
development with the Darpa.
The Maingate pursues two
objectives: to ensure coalition
interoperability and to provide the US
Army with a high capacity backhaul
mobile networking radio. The radio
has been field deployed for the past two
years, and the company is promoting the
system as a candidate for the Mid-Tier
Networking Vehicular Radio programme
(see above).
In late June, Raytheon announced
that it had completed a series of tests
which illustrated that its vehicle-
mounted Maingate radios could ensure
a large-scale network without the need
for fixed infrastructure. During the test,
this network was able to continue the
transmission of voice, data, text and
video footage. According to Raytheon,
Maingate can host up to 128 nodes in
a single network, while delivering data
rates of up to 10Mbps. The firm adds
that Maingate can establish a network in
under three minutes.
Rockwell Collins
Rockwell Collins has had a busy year
with its tactical radio products. The firm
received production authority for its new
Gen5 RT-1939 ARC-210 networked
airborne radio which supports the
Soldier Radio Waveform. The company
claims that the system is the first
ever airborne radio employing next
generation modernized cryptographic
capabilities with advanced airborne
networking capabilities.
Rockwell Collins also introduced the
RT-1990 Gen5 advanced airborne V/
UHF radio as a next-generation SDR.
Later this year, Rockwell Collins will
release its TacNet Tactical (TTR) radio
terminal. The firm claims that this will
herald the smallest form factor, greatest
range, convection cooled, stand-alone
Link 16 product available on the market,
which can handle full J-series Link-16
messages. The TTR is aimed at customers
that have either monetary or space
constraints related to the procurement
of a typical Mids-LVT-sized Link 16
terminal. Rockwell Collins emphasises
that the TacNet Tactical terminal is in no
way aimed at replacing or circumventing
the existing marketplace for the Mids
programme, but only to complement the
larger programme in order to bring vital
situational awareness to every platform
in the battlefield directly.
Beyond the TacNet product, Rockwell
Collins says the company’s GRC-171/-
211 ground V/UHF radio products will
be upgraded and modernized through
its 721S and SmartBlade radios. The
SmartBlade is an AM/FM ground-based
air traffic control radio, while the 721S
is a high power, fixed-site AM/FM V/
UHF set.
Rohde and Schwarz
German tactical radio specialists
Rohde and Schwarz took advantage
of Eurosatory to showcase a number
of new developments in their product
lines. Of particular interest was the
firm’s Secom-V out-of-band hailing
waveform which can be used with the
firm’s flagship M3TR family of multi-
band multi-mode SDRs. The Secom-V
waveform allows HF transmissions
to be picked up even when a radio is
operating in the UHF or VHF modes.
In addition, the company has issued
some new ALE standards including the
ALE-2G/ALE-3G which enables accurate
time synchronisation for faster linking
which can be performed in less than ten
seconds with this software standard.
Other ALE software additions include
xDL protocols built into the ALE-3G
standard (see above), which offers a
built-in xDL data link protocol allowing
the point-to-point delivery of datagrams
across an HF network. Small datagrams
can be delivered with the xDL’s integral
0.3Kbps Low-latency Data Link (LDL),
while large datagrams can be transmitted
using the xDL’s high throughput data link
protocol, supporting a data rate of up to
3.4Kbps. Meanwhile, the xDL’s high-
throughput data link can achieve speeds
of 8.5Kbps.
Other items released into the Rohde
and Schwarz M3TR tool kit include
a secure voice and data service using
At the recent (June 2012) Eurosatory
exhibtion, Harris introduced a high-
capacity line-of-sight radio. Designated
RF-7800W-OU500, it can be used to form
the backbone for wide-area battlefield
communications networks. (Harris)
the company’s RSCA cryptographic
algorithm, alongside the ingenious
Last Ditch Voice (LDV). The latter can
temporarily store digitised voice messages
and then transmit that message using an
LDL. Messages of up to 60 seconds can
be stored which can then be transmitted
even across poor quality HF networks.
Furthermore, Rohde and Schwarz notes
that voice-over internet protocol traffic
can be transmitted using the IP interface
equipping the firm’s M3TR and M3SR
radio families, while a phone patch
allows telephonic communications to
connect with a tactical radio network.
Selex Elsag
Selex Communications has rebranded
itself as Selex Elsag following the
company’s merger with Elsag Datamat.
The firm recently completed the
upgrade of the Brazilian Army’s Sistac
tactical communications system which
has been in use by the force since 1998.
The Sistac system provides voice and
data services using encrypted and non-
encrypted transmissions and can link
to single-channel radio systems and
to the public telephone network. The
Sistac upgrade has been
performed to ensure that
the Brazilian Army can
remain abreast of advances
The Wireless Internet
Service Provider roaming
(Wispr) is designed to
provide mobile wireless
internet access in a
similar way to civilian
smartphone users. The
users credentials are
authenticated by a
Remote Authentication
Dial-In Use Service server.
(Intracom)
armada Compendium Tactical Radios 4/2012 21
 German communications specialist
Rohde and Schwarz continues to
produce the M3TR family of tactical
radios. It has enhanced these products
with the addition of new data links and
waveforms. (Rohde and Schwarz)
in communications technologies and to
communicate with other non-military
agencies in the coming years.
Selex continues to provide a wide range
of tactical communications products.
These include the firm’s Frontline
Soldier Radio (FSR). This platoon- and
section-level radio carries encrypted
voice communications and can operate
as the backbone for command and
control, computing and communications
networks. The FSR is easily upgraded
and dual net functionality is included to
allow a platoon commander to monitor
the squad’s own communications and
higher communications networks
simultaneously.
Joining the FSR is the HF-2000
automated HF networked radio. This uses
Selex’s third-generation ALE algorithms
to ensure that links are maintained.
Selex’s Personal Role Radio (PRR) is a
lightweight system which typically has a
transmission range of circa 500 metres or
through around three floors of a building.
The radio’s wireless push-to-talk feature
has an effective range of around two
metres. Battery power provides for
24 hours of operation. The Soldier
System Radio Plus provides additional
functionality compared to the Personal
Role Radio. It can operate across up to
256 separate radio networks and can
support up to 32 users with unlimited
numbers of listen-only participants.
22 armada Compendium Tactical Radios
Meanwhile, the PRR is being upgraded
via the Swave initiative which reduces the
size of the PRR, while at the same time
increasing its battery life. This radio is
completely interoperable with the PRR
thanks to an optional 2-4Ghz frequency
extension. A vehicular version of the
SWave is also offered by Selex.
Thales
It has also been a busy year for Thales, one
of Europe’s leading suppliers of ground
communications equipment. At the end
of March, the company announced that
it had commenced deliveries of its SDR
Networking Lab. The SDR Networking
Lab has been designed to enable
customers to develop their own SDR
standard waveforms which can then be
used with the Software Communications
Architecture; pen architecture software
which is integral to the JTRS programme.
The SDR Networking Lab contains
a ‘Com Lab’ which employs simulation
to enable users to specify the network
characteristics of their tactical
communications and a Waveform Lab to
develop, transfer and integrate waveforms
onto SDRs. At around the same time
that the company was unveiling its SDR
Networking Lab, it announced that
its FlexNet radio had achieved a data
transfer rate of 2Mbps across a range
of 35km; a rate which the company says
is a four-fold increase on the FlexNet’s
Thales continues to maintain a wide
range of tactical radios. These include
the FlexNet which is in service with
the French armed forces and which will
eventually be replaced under the Contact
programme.(Thales)
4/2012
Another member of the Rohde and
Schwarz tactical radio family is the
MR3000. This radio covers the HF and
VHF/FM frequency ranges. In terms of
performance it boasts a data rate of 64
kilobits per second. (Rohde and Schwarz)
current data rate capabilities.
The firm also unveiled its GeoMux
waveform for its PR4G F@stnet tactical
radios. This VHF waveform can provide
simultaneous voice, data and positional
information using two independent
radio channels. The first channel handles
the voice and data traffic, with the second
handling positional information. Thales
says that GeoMux will now equip all
handheld, manpack and vehicular PR4G
F@astnet radios.
Thales is playing a key role in the
JTRS initiative. In late October 2011,
the company announced that its AN/
PRC-148 Enhanced Multiband Inter/
Intra Team Radio (JEM) had received
UHF satcom waveform certification
from the JITC. The certification of this
waveform allows soldiers carrying AN/
PRC-148 radios to perform satellite
communications without having to carry
cumbersome satcom equipment.
Another element of JTRS that involves
Thales is the AN/PRC-154 Rifleman
Radio. The AN/PRC-154 has been
developed as part of the JTRS Handheld,
 Thales’s AN/PRC-148
Mutliband Inter/Intra Team
Radio, also known by its
MBITR acronym, is a tactical
handheld system of which
over 100,000 units have been
fielded, 31,000 of which are
in service with the US Army.
(Thales)
Manpack and Small Form
Fit (JTRS HMS) programme
in conjunction with General
Dynamics. In June 2011,
the US DoD authorised the
purchase of 6,250 AN/PRC-
154 radios.
Ultra Electronics
Canada’s Ultra Electronics
unveiled in late May an upgraded
version of its High Capacity Radio,
which will be capable of handling up to
400Mbps of data. This effectively adds a
major increase in bandwidth to a small
form factor, rugged radio leveraging
technology which has been developed
for Ultra’s AN/GRC-245 and AN/GRC-
512. The modernisation allows the High
Capacity Radio to act as a point-to-
enhanced connectivity / flexible upgradability / legendary reliability
Introducing the ™ smart radio.
point communications system capable
of handling significant quantities of
data, while ensuring robustness against
electronic countermeasures. The HCR
incorporates and improves on the best
features of Ultra’s battle-proven AN/
GRC-245 and AN/GRC-512 radios
to form a new platform capable of
performing multiple roles.
The single box mast mount radio
supports the roles of a High-Capacity
Line-of-Sight (HCLOS) radio relay
including spectrum efficiency and
long range waveforms as well as a true
full-band electronic counter-counter
measure radio relay. Therefore, it
effectively provides two radio types in
a single common platform, enabling
each relay vehicle to quickly mix and
match each mode to suit battlefield
conditions. As a software-defined
radio, the HCR’s unique architecture
facilitates technology insertions while
allowing for interoperability with legacy
platforms, including the AN/GRC-
245 and AN/GRC-512 radios. Ultra
designed these radios as high data rate
backbone tactical area communications
systems. The company is currently under
HF Radio reinvented.
www.codanradio.com/envoy
armada Compendium Tactical Radios 4/2012
The Thales PR4G F@
stNet, along with the
FlexNet, has recently
been enhanced
via the company’s
development of the
GeoMux waveform.
(Thales)
contract to provide the AN/GRC-245 for
the US Army. This radio can provide
communications links of 40km, and
full duplex data rates of up to 34Mbps
full duplex.
Russia
A word of two should also be mentioned
about Russian tactical radios. Inquiries to
Russian communications manufacturers
by the author at defence exhibitions with
the purpose of obtaining information
regarding tactical radios have often
been unsuccessful. However, some
systems have recently come to light that
are worthy of notice. It is known that
23
 hoping and, like several Yaroslavl
Radioworks products, has the ability to
operate in temperatures of -40 to +60ºC.
Such performance increases still further
with the R-168-100KBE which works
comfortably in extremes of -50 to +60ºC.
Regarding VHF transceivers,
Yaroslavl Radioworks markets a wide
range of products. The R-168-0.1UME
is a handheld radio performing both
encrypted and clear communications
which can be used to equip personnel
from the company commander level
downwards. This radio is available
either with an integral headset and
microphone, or in a monoblock
handheld configuration. The system
operates at between 44-56Mhz and has
25Khz frequency spacing enclosed in a
package weighing around 1.5kg. Other
handheld items include the R-168-
One of the key elements of the US
a range of around 300km according to 0.1UM1E radio, which has similar
Department of Defense’s Joint Tactical
Radio System initiative is General
the manufacturer. This radio carries characteristics to the R-168-0.1UME, but
Dynamics’ AN/PRC-154 Rifleman Radio eight preset frequencies and offers with a transfer data at a rate of between
which is also produced in conjunction 1Khz frequency spacing. The R-168- 2.4 to 16kbps in both secure and clear
with Thales. (US Army) 5KNE provides clear and encrypted communications: A vehicular version of
voice communications, even under this radio is also available.
Russian manufacturers produce the heavy ECM jamming according to the As far as other handheld VHF sets
R-163-05R fixed and mobile FM tactical manufacturer. In fixed-frequency mode, are concerned, customers can choose
radio, which is thought to only be capable this radio offers 100Khz of frequency the R-168-0.5MKME single and multi-
of voice communications and operates in spacing, although this expands to channel radio. This is delivered with a
the 44-53.9Mhz segment of the electro- 1000Khz when operating in frequency- wearable pack, headset and microphone.
magnetic spectrum. hoping modes. The vehicular R-168- It operates across the 30-80Mhz
The R-163-05R is joined by Yaroslavl 100KAE also offers encrypted and frequency range, has 1W output power
Radioworks Corps’ R-163-IY. This clear communications, and eight preset and weighs just under one kilogram.
radio can be used for vehicular, fixed frequencies plus 0.1Khz frequency- Clear and encrypted communications
and mobile configurations and, like
the preceding system, is used for voice
traffic. The radio uses the 30-79.9Mhz
frequency range and is slightly heavier
than the R-163-05R with a weight of over
four kilograms.
In fact, the Yaroslavl Radioworks
produces a wide range of radios notably
HF radios, VHF systems and UHF
transceivers. The company’s HF product
line includes four systems: The R-168-1KE
Kvartz-N portable radio, R-168-5KNE
modernised manpack; and the R-168-
100KAE and R-168-100KBE systems.
The R-168-1KE Kvartz-N is a
handheld set designed to be used for
operations in urban areas and provides
GenPort of Italy provides a range of
innovative power generation systems
which use both solar and power storage
technology. One of the attractions of
GenPort’s products is that they operate
noiselessly and thus help preserving
stealth. (GenPort)

24 armada Compendium Tactical Radios 4/2012

 fischer UltiMate
TM

are facilitated with the R-168-0.5UDE VHF monoblock which Military Connectors Line
weighs 0.3kgs and can transmit and receive data at 1.2-16kbps.
It can equip troops from company commander, down to
individual soldiers and operates across the 146-174Mhz range.
Manpack systems comprise Yaroslavl Radioworks’s VHF
range, including the R-168-5UN-1E, which is outfitted
with a digital display. Providing clear and encrypted
Secure Connections for
communications from the battalion down to the platoon level,
this radio not only equips the Russian Army, but also the UltiMate Protection
troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The R-168-5UN-1E
boasts a similar data rate to the systems surveyed above, and
has six preset frequencies. The reach of the radio is between
ten and twelve kilometres and it operates on a frequency
range of 30-87.9Mhz. For fixed applications, customers can
opt for the company’s R-168-5UN-1E VHF transceivers which
are especially suited for operations in harsh environments.
The R-168-5UN-1E has six pre-set frequencies and 25Khz
frequency spacing. As a bridge across the VHF and UHF
frequency ranges, Yaroslavl Radioworks Corp provides the
R-612-18 VHF/UHF fixed and mobile radio which can equip
air, ground and naval platforms according to the company.
Weighing 40kgs, this radio can operate in temperatures of
between -40 to +55ºC. Repeater and retransmission systems
are also important on the battlefield which is why Yaroslavl
Radioworks builds the R-168-0.5URE VHF transmitter. This
set can be used to carry data as well as voice communications,
moving the former at a rate of 1.2-16kbps.
Finally, Yaroslavl Radioworks produces six UHF radios. New Original Series
Leading the pack in this regard is the company’s R-168-0.5UDE
UHF monoblock system. Operating in a frequency range of
Compact, Rugged, Lightweight
between 390-440Mhz with 25Khz frequency spacing, this radio
provides clear and encrypted communications from company ■ Excellent sealing IP68/69K even unmated
commanders downwards, and between ground troops, aircraft
and warships. A portable version of this radio which includes a ■ Rugged design for harsh environment
headset is available from the firm, as is a vehicular configuration;
all of which offer similar levels of performance.
■ Extremely robust mechanical keying
Users requiring a subscriber multi-channel radio can opt ■ Miniature and ultralight design
for the Yaroslavl Radioworks R-168MRAE. It operates across
the 1.5-1.75Ghz frequency range with 1Mhz channel spacing, ■ Push-pull locking or emergency release system
handling between one to eleven megabits-per-second of data
over a range of six to 20 kilometres. A monoblock version is ■ High shock and vibration resistance
available, while the R-168MRDE multi-channel radio access
station has a 1,5-1.75Ghz frequency range with similar data ■ 10,000 mating cycles
rates and frequency spacing as the R-168MRAE.
The data handling characteristics of Yaroslavl Radioworks ■ Wide range of configurations
products are particularly important. In recent years the Russian ■ Easy Fischer cable assembly
military has been accused of lagging behind their international
counterparts in developing sophisticated data-based battle solutions
management systems. This may now be slowly changing. In
2009 it was revealed that the army was beginning tests of a new
digital battle management system which may eventually equip
the force. Details are scant regarding its capabilities, but it may
represent an important step regarding the improvement of the
Russian Army’s overall command and control capabilities.

Accessories: Electric Power

While this article has discussed recent events in the tactical radio
world, a word should be said about tactical radio accessories. www.fischerconnectors.com
Armada profiled some of the latest tactical radio accessories in
a dedicated article earlier in 2012, but since the publication of Headquarters
Fischer Connectors SA
Saint-Prex - Switzerland
Phone +41 21 800 95 95
armada Compendium Tactical Radios 4/2012
mail@fischerconnectors.ch
25

that article, a number of products have
come to our attention which we feel are
important to highlight.
It sounds like an obvious statement to
say that any tactical radio is little more
than metal, wires and complex circuitry
without an electricity supply, but the
world of radio batteries and power
supplies is often overlooked. Why this
is so remains a mystery. Operations
in countries such as Afghanistan and
Iraq have underscored the importance
of adequate electricity reserves all the
more so as armies become increasingly
reliant on electronics. Spartan countries
such as those involved in current and
recent military operations may have
no power infrastructure, or may have
seen that infrastructure destroyed in
earlier stages of hostilities. Genport,
based in Vimercate in northern Italy,
may have some answers in this regard.
The company has developed a niche in
designing lightweight advanced power
generation systems that can be used
for defence applications, as well as
assisting medical, first responders and
industrial users. At the heart of Genport’s
approach is Ion Lithium and the Proton
Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)
technology which combined can provide
over 1,000W of power – silently and in
harsh environments.
For military users, the company has
designed the GenPort 300 Hybrid PEM
Solar portable hybrid power source.
26 armada Compendium Tactical Radios
This product can be used in two ways:
the solar panels can collect sunlight and
convert it into electricity to run military
communications systems, for example,
and any surplus energy collected during
this process can be employed to charge the
systems’ battery pack; alternatively, the
system can be used to collect electricity
during the day which can then be used
later during the night. Not only does
the system produce electricity, but also
a range of useful bi-products, including
pure hydrogen, water and ozone (the
latter can be used for water purification).
When generating electricity, the GenPort
300 Hybrid PEM Solar produces around
1,400W of peak power.
Another of the company’s useful
product is its GenPort Portable Hydrogen
Fuel Cell. This combines the quick-start
characteristics of traditional batteries
with the sustained power provision of fuel
cells. Like the GenPort 300 Hybrid PEM
Solar, the GenPort Portable Hydrogen
Fuel Cell produces ozone and can also
operate in extreme conditions.
Ultralife of Newark, New York
produces almost every type of battery
imaginable and is a one-stop shop
Bose has pioneered noise-cancelling
systems and has transposed this
technology to the military user and
effectively changing the life of armoured
vehicle (especially tracked) crews. The
TriPort seen here comfortably fits under
a helmet. (Bose)
4/2012
When is a handheld tactical radio not a
handheld tactical radio? When it becomes
a vehicular radio! Ultralife’s A-320HVA
adaptor allows handheld radios to be
used inside a vehicle providing an ideal
grab-and-run solution. (Ultralife)
for customers seeking power supply
solutions for their communications.
The firm produces no less than 13
different military-grade rechargeable
batteries, ranging from the UBBL02
battery to the URB0003 Lithium-Ion
multi-kilowatt module. Military-grade
non-rechargeable batteries also are on
offer, including the UB0023, which has
a ten-year shelf life and which can pump
life into systems such as the Thales AN/
PRC-119 Sincgars. The company’s
UB0006 has a similar shelf life and can be
used in conjunction with other military
communications devices.
For deployed headquarters units with
a number of communications systems to
run, the UKT0042 man-portable power
system can provide between 2.5 kilowatt-
hour to 10 kilowatt-hour scalable energy
capacity, and can be set up in under
20 minutes. The UKT0042 uses solar
panels to collect sunlight, which is then
converted into energy and stored in
batteries. Other products available in
the Ultralife portfolio include a range of
amplifiers from the 20W A-320 up to the
75W Multiband Amplifier outfitted with
an MBITR tactical radio charging pocket.
In terms of vehicle communications,
Ultralife’s range is similarly impressive,
including a 75W multiband amplifier,
and a 50W multiband amplifier with an
MBITR charging pocket.
Accessories: Amplifiers
Military amplifiers are a speciality of AR
Worldwide of Washington State, with
units ranging from 5-5,000W power
output and covering the 0.01-6,000Mhz
 At 2 1/2 lbs,
It’s A Real Heavyweight
In Booster Amps

Invisio’s S10 family of

frequencies. In terms of military
headsets represents
amplifiers, the firm’s catalogue the state-of-the-art
contains the 35W AR-35 covering in terms of hearing
30-512MHz. The AR-35 is joined by protection and
the 50W AR-50 amplifier, which is communications. The KMW1031KT is the lightest, most compact
JITC-certified and, like the AR-35, These headsets are
includes automatic band switching. available in both 20-watt booster amplifier kit for military transceivers.
As its nomenclature suggests, the AR- custom and universal The entire kit weighs less than 2.5 lbs. But it’s a real
75 is a 75W amplifier which also has configurations to
automatic switching. The company enhance the wearers’
heavyweight when it comes to performance, durability,
provides a host of other military
comfort. (Invisio) and ease of use. It covers the
amplifiers like the JITC-certified 240-270Mhz low-noise 30 – 512 MHz
satellite communications pre-amplifier.
frequency and is
Accessories: headsets & mikes SINCGARS,
The other key part of any tactical radio ensemble is the headsets HAVEQUICK, IW,
and microphones which enable the user to hear and transmit
voice communications. Invisio were profiled earlier this year
HPW and DAMA capable.
in Armada’s tactical radio accessory article. Since our last It supports all 5 watt
examination of this innovative audio solutions provider the tactical radios such as
company has unveiled the Invisio S10 Lightweight In-Ear Hearing
Protection System. The S10 comprises a headset that fits inside the Harris AN/PRC-152, Thales MBITR AN/PRC-148 plus others.
users’ ears, but with the almost magical virtue of conveying radio The KMW1031 can be powered by a single battery
sound but at the same time filter out the burst cacophony of the or a 12 or 24 volt vehicle system. The portable, waterproof
battlefield. The headset is supplied with a lightweight control unit
carrying the on/off and push-to-talk buttons. Official literature kit includes everything needed to boost radio signals:
provided to Armada by Invisio notes that hearing damage is Amplifier, antenna, RF cables, battery cable and tactical
common among personnel and can be caused by sudden noises vest pouches for both the amp and antenna.
such as explosions and gunfire, not to mention exposure to
continuous noise which can cause hearing loss and disorders such It couldn’t be easier. Or more dependable.
as tinnitus (the author experienced first-hand the damage to one’s To learn more, visit us at
hearing that can be caused by battlefield noise during his years of www.arworld.us/propVideo
being taught by a former artillery officer who could rarely hear the
class, but spoke to them with a deafening voice). Invisio’s product or call us at 425-485-9000
does not eliminate sound but instead dampens the sound to a
harmless level. Like any of the human senses, sound is integral to
safety on the battlefield. To cancel all sound could be as dangerous
as exposing soldiers to too much of it.
The company offers its hearing protection in both universal
and bespoke configurations. The former design provides a

modular rf
Other ar divisions: rf/microwave instrumentation • receiver systems • ar europe
armada
The Battle Tested logo is Reg. Compendium
U.S. Pat. & TM. Off. #Tactical Radios 4/2012 27
3,821,099.
Copyright© 2012 AR. The orange stripe on AR products is Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM. Off.

form factor that comfortably fits inside
the ear using a patented technology
enabling it to adapt itself to the inside of
the user’s ears in a similar fashion to an
earplug. Invisio’s custom fit headphones
are constructed by taking an impression
of the wearer’s ears. This impression is
then used to construct the headphones
to fit easily inside them. To this end,
the S10 earphones are available in to
configurations including the X6 Custom
Fit headphones and the X5 Universal Fit.
Staying with headphones, anyone
who is passionate about music and their
stereo system will almost certainly know
the name of Bose. The company’s range
of high-performance and aesthetically-
designed household hi-fi systems and
sound docks seem a world away from
the rough-and-tumble of battlefield
communications. Nevertheless, this
US-based company has brought the
same expertise to the world of military
tactical communications, incorporating
noise cancelling technology into its
headphones to reduce personnel fatigue
and improve clarity. Bose has been
supplying noise-cancelling headphones
to the United States Army since 1993
primarily for use by tracked vehicle crews.
Of particular interest to this article is
the firm’s TriPort Tactical Headset Series
2 and its Combat Vehicle Crewman
Headset. The TriPort Tactical Headset
Series 2 has been designed to be worn
inside platforms such as armoured
I index to advertisers
AR MODULAR 27
ARMADA SUBSCRIPTION 18
Barrett 13
CODAN 23
ELBIT SYSTEMS 05
FISCHER CONNECTORS 25
28 armada Compendium Tactical Radios 4/2012
Raytheon has introduced the One Force,
an application that has shown its ability to
transfer voice and data traffic over 3G and
military tactical radio networks. (Raytheon)
infantry fighting vehicles and armoured
personnel carriers. The same headset
can be used by personnel outside the
vehicle during dismounted operations,
thanks to the headset’s control module.
An integral boom microphone can also
be worn on the left or right side of
the headphones. The Combat Vehicle
Crewman Headset, the company claims,
improves speech intelligibility by up
to 95 percent compared to competing
products. Like the TriPort Tactical
Headset Series 2, the Combat Vehicle
Crewman Headset is designed to be
ergonomically friendly to ensure that it
is comfortable for the wearer.
Exponential Growth
These accessories plus the new tactical
radios and procurement programmes
surveyed above underscore the
importance that tactical radios play
for military operations everywhere.
The use of tactical radios has grown
exponentially over the last decade.
Figures released by the US Army last
year provided a fascinating insight into
this phenomena. For example in 2000
the US Army was said to possess around
365,000 radios. This has since increased
to 919,052 today. Equally, the number of
different types of radios used by the US
Army has almost doubled from eleven
in 2000 to 20 in 2011. Furthermore in
2001 the US Army could handle around
46 megabits of data-per-second across
its communications networks, whereas
today this figure is around 9.6 gigabytes-
per-second. Would the soldiers of the
Great War recognise contemporary
battlefield communications if they
could see them today? Probably, but
the huge range of functionality now
available would no doubt astound them.
This functionality is set to expand even
further in the future.
GDC4S C4
INVISIO 09
IDEX C3
THALES 11
ULTRALIFE C2
Compendium by armada
Tactical Radios
2012-13
armada international: The trusted source for defence technology information since 1976
ON THE COVER: Our cover features one of the
key parts of the overall Single Channel Ground
and Airborne Radio System (also known as the
Sincgars), namely the ITT Exelis’s RT-1523 tactical
communications system which has 2320 channels
and six frequency-hoping presets. (ITT Exelis)
Compendium Tactical Radio 2012
Supplement to armada Issue 4/2012
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