The contracts are for AN/PRC-117F(C) manpack and vehicular multiband, multimission radios. The radios use advanced Harris software-defined radio (SDR) technology to provide battle-proven embedded communications security, satellite communications, and electronic counter-countermeasure capabilities.
They cover the entire 30 to 512 MHz frequency range and provide interoperability with ground-based SINCGARS radios as well as ground-to-air radios and long-range, tactical satellite communications.
The radios will support units deployed in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and are part of the Army's modularity redesign.
"The Army is creating a more modular and responsive force, and these multimission radios offer the flexibility needed to address the wide range of their radio communication needs," said Dana Mehnert, vice president and general manager of business development and operations, Harris Corporation, RF Communications Division.
"These radios also provide a vital, secure, beyond- line-of-sight communication capability for command and control that is not currently met by the Army's combat net radios."
Modularity is a force-design methodology that establishes a means of providing force elements that are interchangeable, scalable, and able to be tailored to meet the operational needs of the combat commanders.
This design provides more rapidly deployable forces that better meet combatant commanders' requirements and accelerates fielding of a networked force.