Harris Corporation receives $9.6m order to deliver first Type-1 Suite B handheld tactical radios to coalition forces

Harris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company, has received a $9.6 million order for the Harris RF-310M-HH, a new handheld tactical radio designed to simplify and improve secure communications interoperability for US and allied forces in combat.

Harris is supplying RF-310M-HH multiband, multi-mission, software-defined radios under the US Department of Defense Coalition Readiness Support Program to provide secure communications interoperability to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The RF-310M-HH is the first NSA Type-1, Suite-B certified tactical radio for protecting voice and data transmissions up to SECRET level classification.

This capability will enable secure communication between coalition units using RF-310M-HH radios and US forces using either RF-310M-HH or other Suite B tactical radio products, such as the Falcon III AN/PRC-152 handheld and AN/PRC-117G manpack radios. The AN/PRC-152 and AN/PRC-117G radios contain both US Type-1 Suite A and Suite B encryption, providing secure interoperability with the RF-310M-HH in support of various operational scenarios.

"The RF-310M-HH was developed in response to the increased use of multi-national coalitions on today's battlefield," said Steve Marschilok, president, Department of Defense business, Harris RF Communications. "Nations in these coalitions utilize many different types of radios, each with their own sovereign encryption technologies, making inter-coalition communication a challenge. The RF-310M-HH provides a bridge to simplify how forces from different countries communicate, which results in improved coordination, easier mission planning, and reduced risk of casualties due to friendly fire."

The RF-310M-HH radio uses the Sierra IIB programmable encryption module, certified by the NSA in June 2009. In addition to allowing secure interoperation with other tactical radios, the RF-310M-HH also hosts the APCO P25 waveform. The P25 waveform provides interoperability with radios used by police and other emergency response organizations, allowing the RF-310M-HH to span the gap between tactical and public safety networks. With its programmable encryption technology, Software Communications Architecture (SCA) and coverage of the entire 30-512 MHz frequency range, the RF-310M-HH is the ideal solution to interoperability challenges presented in coalition operations.

Source: Harris Corp

Follow Shephard News on Twitter