Harris announces USAF Falcon III manpack order

Harris Corporation will provide the US Air Force (USAF) with an additional supply of Falcon III multiband manpack tactical radios under a $10.8 million order announced on 6 November. The radios will provide the USAF with enhanced capabilities for tactical communications, including interoperable voice and data communications for ground-to-ground and ground-to-air applications.

The JTRS-certified Falcon III AN/PRC-117G is a tactical wideband networking radio, designed to deliver enhanced situational awareness by connecting warfighters to the global information grid. The wideband architecture in the AN/PRC-117G supports network-enabled missions such as close-air support, precision fires and MEDEVAC through applications such as video and collaborative chat.

George Helm, president, Department of Defense business, Harris RF Communications, said: ‘The Falcon III AN/PRC-117G will provide Joint Terminal Attack Controllers and other Air Force personnel with enhanced real-time voice and data communications. This will lead to greater situational awareness, which is critical for forward-deployed combat controllers. Our radio is combat proven and widely fielded in support of the Department of Defense’s emerging tactical network.’

According to the company, Harris has shipped more than 22,000 AN/PRC-117G radios to all branches of the US military as well as over a dozen allies including Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Australia, Poland and several other countries in NATO. The radio is combat-proven and tested in field exercises, laboratory environments and has been employed as a secure wideband tactical networking radio in Operation Enduring Freedom since 2009.