Northrop Grumman and ITT Exelis have teamed to compete for the U.S. Army's new vehicle-mounted, software-defined radio. The Army issued a draft request for proposal on Nov. 4, for the Mid-Tier Networking Vehicular Radio (MNVR), which replaces the canceled Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Ground Mobile Radio.

If selected for the MNVR program, Northrop Grumman will lead the team and provide its Freedom 350 multifunction radio system. Exelis will support radio development, manufacturing, vehicle installation and integration, and logistical support services.

"The innovation and expertise of both companies set this team apart as a formidable force in the MNVR competition," said Claude Hashem, vice president of the Network Communication Systems business at Northrop Grumman's Information Systems sector.

"Northrop Grumman pioneered software-defined radio technology, has expertise in more than 50 waveforms and functions used on advanced networks and applications, and is a recognized leader in the design of open architecture systems and network management solutions.

"Exelis brings unparalleled radio technology experience and proven design, manufacturing and integration expertise having developed the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System with more than 550,000 fielded and the JTRS Soldier Radio Waveform," Hashem said.

"This team brings together the synergy of two powerhouses in the communications market with extensive experience in high performance networking radio design, waveform integration, vehicular system integration and affordability through world-class manufacturing," said Ken Peterman, president of Exelis' Communications and Forces Protection Systems business.

The Northrop Grumman-Exelis radio system will provide mobile Internet-like voice, data and video capabilities, connecting warfighters in on-the-move tactical platforms with each other and back to command centers.

It is interoperable with other radios and uses multiple waveforms, including the Soldier Radio Waveform and Wideband Networking Waveform.

Northrop Grumman developed the two-channel, full-duplex Freedom 350 radio based on more than 20 years of experience designing integrated communications, navigation and identification radio systems for aircraft.

The radio uses a low-cost open architecture designed to have minimal impact in terms of size, weight and power on aircraft and vehicles.