U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) awarded L3Harris Technologies of Melbourne, FL an initial $86 million full-rate production order for Falcon IV AN/PRC-163 two-channel handheld tactical radios that will provide Special Operations Forces (SOF) operators with advanced communications capabilities, L3Harris announced November 21.
The order is part of a $390 million IDIQ contract awarded by USSOCOM in 2015 under the Next Generation Tactical Communications (NGTC) program to deliver an advanced two-channel radio for SOF operators. USSOCOM also has awarded the company a NGTC contract to deliver multichannel Next-Generation Manpack radios. The NGTC handheld and manpack radios are the backbone of the complete ecosystem of SOF-focused solutions that L3Harris is providing to USSOCOM.
The
AN/PRC-163 is a powerful multi-channel, software-defined radio system that
enables advanced tactical communications and meets USSOCOM’s rigorous
requirements for a small, two-channel, multiband, multifunction and multi-mission
tactical radio. The AN/PRC-163’s familiar, yet enhanced interface is
easy-to-use, and the flexible software-defined architecture enables users to
quickly add new waveforms and capabilities, while mission modules allow the
addition of tailored applications for specific missions like receiving ISR
full-motion video.
The
Falcon IV NGTC program radios from L3Harris are integrated network systems that
can simultaneously communicate over multiple channels and crossband between
those channels. They are capable of satellite communications, VHF/UHF/L/S-band
and multiple mobile ad-hoc networking (MANET) waveforms including ANW2 and
TSM-X™.
“L3Harris has invested heavily in our Falcon IV multi-channel software defined radios and is delivering advanced technology with game-changing capabilities to our USSOCOM customer,” said Dana Mehnert, president, Communication Systems, L3Harris. “This full-rate production order is a major milestone in our contract with USSOCOM to provide solutions that achieve their vision.”
Source: L3Harris
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