Harris Corp to deliver first FalconFighter Modular Soldier Systems

Harris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company, has delivered its first FalconFighter Modular Soldier System to a nation in Asia with emerging requirements for video on the battlefield.

The customer ordered more than 500 FalconFighter systems to provide its military forces with enhanced capabilities for streaming live video from the field to commanders for improved decision- making.

The systems consist of rugged video cameras, the RF-7800S Secure Personal Radio, power modules and the newly introduced RF-7400E-VP Tactical Video Processor. The TVP captures video from any analog camera worn on the battlefield and prepares it to be transmitted over tactical radio links.

"The FalconFighter is a modular, flexible soldier system that can be configured to meet the widest variety of customer soldier requirements,'' said Andy Start, president, international business unit, Harris RF Communications. "In this case, FalconFighter is addressing requirements for the quick and seamless transmission of video from the field to commanders to aid in decision-making and planning. We look forward to deploying this system to meet other requirements."

A key component in the first FalconFighter delivery is the RF-7400E-VP, a lightweight body-worn processor that provides advanced streaming video capabilities on the move. The TVP encodes video captured by an analog camera into an advanced video compression standard, reducing bandwidth and storage requirements. The converted video can be easily sent over Internet Protocol networks.

In addition to video processing and compression, the RF-7400E-VP also offers a built-in recorder for post-mission analysis or training purposes. The device will continue to record even when out of range of tactical radio networks. The RF-7400E-VP is capable of interfacing with all Harris Falcon III radios. It will automatically optimize video parameters in order to leverage bandwidth capabilities on the radio, and draws a consistent power source from tactical radio batteries.

"Peripherals like the RF-7400E dramatically expand the power of wideband networking radio systems now being deployed by military forces around the world,'' Start said. "This will help feed richer information to the battlefield and result in improved situational awareness and operational decision making."

The RF-7400E comes with the Harris Video Management Application software, which allows users to view and manage multiple video streams via a personal computer or PDA device.

Harris RF Communications is the leading global supplier of secure radio communications and embedded high-grade encryption solutions for military, government and commercial organizations. The company's Falcon® family of software-defined tactical radio systems encompasses manpack, handheld and vehicular applications. Falcon III is the next generation of radios supporting the US military's Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) requirements, as well as network-centric operations worldwide. Harris RF Communications is also a leading supplier of assured communications® systems and equipment for public safety, utility and transportation markets -- with products ranging from the most advanced IP voice and data networks to portable and mobile single- and multiband radios.

Source: Harris Corp