Canadian Army's Combat Net Radios set for upgrade
General Dynamics Canada will upgrade the Canadian Army’s Combat Net Radios under a $109 million contract announced on 24 October.
Under the contract, General Dynamics Canada will perform work to increase the throughput and speed of data transmission of the radios – which were originally purchased in 1991 - bringing levels on par with newer military radios, and allowing for simultaneous operation of voice, messaging and positional awareness reporting.
The Combat Net Radio is the primary means of transmitting and receiving tactical voice and data communications on all Canadian Army operations and training missions.
In total the contract covers 11,000 Combat Net Radios and 6,800 Vehicle Interface Units. Cryptographic and data transmission modules in the radio will be replaced, with software and hardware upgrades to be conducted by the General Dynamics team, which includes Rockwell Collins Canada and SigmaPoint Technologies.
Modifications to the Vehicle Interface Unit are also required and will be performed by SED Systems. The Vehicle Interface Unit is a 50-watt amplifier that boosts the signal from the Combat Net Radio, to increase its communication range.
David Ibbetson, vice president, General Dynamics C4 Systems International, said: ‘The enhanced capabilities will maintain the viability of the Combat Net Radio for another decade and allow soldiers to operate on a modern battlefield with safety and awareness of what is going on around them.’
Initial delivery of the upgraded Combat Net Radios is expected in May 2015 and will continue through 2017.
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![Chess Dynamics successfully demonstrates Vision4ce AI-driven tracker]()
Chess Dynamics successfully demonstrates Vision4ce AI-driven tracker
The Vision4ce Deep Embedded Feature Tracking (DEFT) technology software is designed to process video and images by blending traditional computer vision with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to present actionable information from complex environments.
-
![Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend]()
Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend
Persistent Systems has been cleared by National Security Agency (NSA) to transmit sensitive data on commercial networks. The devices are added to the NSA’s Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) component list which also includes other companies’ products providing the same security.
-
![UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release]()
UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release
The release of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has been long promised as mid-year. It is possible it could be as early as 2 June although the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to play its cards close to its chest.
-
![Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)]()
Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)
Intelsat outlines how its multi-orbit SATCOM architecture is enhancing connectivity and resilience for special operations forces operating in degraded and contested environments.
-
![US Space Force’s next-generation missile warning system moves forward with $500 million in new contracts]()
US Space Force’s next-generation missile warning system moves forward with $500 million in new contracts
Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) satellites are intended to provide early warning of missile launches from any location worldwide and new ground stations will result in expanded coverage of critical missile warning.
