Harris announces orders for new Falcon III RF-7800H radio

Harris Corporation has announced that it has received initial orders totalling $5.6 million for its newly introduced Falcon III RF-7800H high-frequency wideband manpack radio.  The orders, from the US Department of Defense (DoD) and unnamed international military customers, were announced on 27 September, but no specific details were released.

According to Harris, the RF-7800H is the first HF radio to add wideband data capabilities, allowing users to transmit tactical images and other large data files over beyond-line-of-sight links. The radio offers data rates that are 10 times greater than current HF manpacks, a significant enhancement that provides warfighters greater capabilities to transmit data in obstructed line-of-sight mission environments such as mountains and urban terrain.

The new RF-7800H is 20 percent smaller and lighter than previous HF manpacks and operates on a single battery. It also features a software communications architecture-based operating environment that allows for easy upgrades to deliver new features and address emerging requirements. The wider bandwidth waveform in the RF-7800H provides more robust communications than traditional narrowband tactical communications environments. Weighing just under 4 kilograms, the RF-7800H provides continuous coverage in the 1.5 MHz to 60 MHz frequency band. The RF-7800H has an internal GPS and offers both Citadel and AES encryption. It is fully backwards compatible with the Harris Falcon II HF product line and accessories. Harris has delivered more than 100,000 Falcon II high-frequency manpack radios worldwide.

Brendan O’Connell, president, International business unit, Harris RF Communications, said: ‘These initial orders highlight the broad applications for the RF-7800H in a range of different tactical scenarios and operating requirements. The RF-7800H lightens the soldier’s load while delivering streamlined command and control and a more informed force. In addition, this new HF radio, combined with Harris’ new RF-3590 Ruggedized Tablet, supports the use of current and future C4ISR multimedia apps for international and DoD customers alike by enabling secure voice and high bandwidth data communication over thousands of kilometres.’