Harris Corporation introduces innovative mission modules for Falcon III AN/PRC-117G multiband manpack radios

Harris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company, today announced a significant innovation for its Falcon III AN/PRC-117G multiband manpack wideband radios that will provide warfighters with greater flexibility to meet mission requirements and a "future focused" solution to keep pace with changing technologies in tactical communications.

The innovation involves the development of new Mission Modules to be integrated with the field-proven AN/PRC-117G, a wideband tactical radio that provides warfighters with advanced situational awareness of the battlefield through wireless, high-bandwidth communications.  The Mission Modules provide new levels of flexibility and mission-specific customization to ground tactical communications through a significant and ever-expanding list of benefits including:

• Enabling users of AN/PRC-117G wideband radios to quickly and easily add advanced capabilities to the radio on an as-needed basis.
• Providing new levels of flexibility to the AN/PRC-117G wideband radio by seamlessly adding expanded functions such as a second wideband radio channel, high-frequency (HF) radio channel, and an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) module.
• Beyond these initial planned enhancements, the Mission Modules will generate a limitless number of new applications for the AN/PRC-117G from industry partners using the Mission Modules' "open-platform" and standard interface architecture approach.

"Battlefield communications technology does not stand still, which means it is critical for warfighter solutions of the future to be able to easily integrate emerging technologies," said Steve Marschilok, president, Department of Defense business, Harris RF Communications.  "Mission Modules for the AN/PRC-117G enhance the value of the radio by providing deployed forces with the means to access mission-relevant information when and where they need it."

The AN/PRC-117G radio is the first JTRS Software Communications Architecture (JTRS SCA)-certified wideband manpack radio system, enabling applications such as streaming video, simultaneous voice and data feeds, collaborative chat, and connectivity to secure networks (SIPRNet).  The AN/PRC-117G's wideband network access capabilities give warfighters and field commanders critical real-time information through a man-portable radio that is significantly smaller, lighter and more capable than legacy units. The radio offers an extended frequency range of 30 MHz to 2 GHz.

AN/PRC-117G Mission Modules provide a flexible platform for expansion as mission requirements evolve.  The modules utilize a standardized and interchangeable architecture, enabling the warfighter to take only the capabilities they need into the field.  Users of AN/PRC-117G radios already fielded will also be able to upgrade to incorporate the new modules.

"Through the enhancements provided by the Mission Modules, Harris is significantly increasing the value proposition of the most capable, field-proven tactical radio system in the world," said Marschilok. "The AN/PRC-117G offers advanced capabilities today that are meeting the warfighters' current needs, and the Mission Modules ensure continuous, rapid and seamless integration of new capabilities to address future requirements." 

One significant area of focus for the Mission Modules is in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.  The incorporation of an ISR module with the AN/PRC-117G, which already offers the embedded ROVER ISR waveform, will result in a highly integrated unit that addresses both ground tactical radio and ISR requirements in a single device.  "The need to integrate ISR and tactical communications is a relatively new requirement that was not among tactical radio specifications developed more than a decade ago," Marschilok said.  "This full-featured and modular capability will not be available anywhere else in industry."

The AN/PRC-117G manpack radio development has followed the US. Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) program's Enterprise Business Model (EBM).  Relying on this model, Harris has successfully fielded more than 100,000 JTRS-approved Falcon III AN/PRC-152 multiband handheld radios.  The JTRS Software Communications Architecture and modular approach make it possible to provide future-focused technology that easily integrates pre-planned upgrades. 

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.