JTRS takes to the air
The first airborne demonstration of the Airborne Maritime/Fixed Station Joint Tactical Radio System (AMF JTRS) has been tested onboard the AH-64D Block III Apache helicopter.
Data and video was successfully transmitted to ground-based radios from an airborne platform for the first time thanks to a joint tactical radio internet-protocol (IP) communications network, it was announced on 25 January.
The Lockheed Martin AMF JTRS team, with support from Boeing, demonstrated the capability at Boeing’s Mesa, Arizona facility. The AMF JTRS is a new capability designed to connect joint forces in theatre.
Mark Norris, vice president for Joint Tactical Network Solutions with Lockheed Martin’s IS&GS-Defense, said the tests underscored the critical role that AMF JTRS will play by providing IP networking.
They also demonstrate ‘the ability to dynamically use multiple waveforms as mission needs require and the ability to cross band and interconnect legacy systems’, Morris added.
During the tests an AMF JTRS small airborne joint tactical radio, enabled with the wideband networking waveform, was integrated onto the Apache. Lockheed Martin said the radio then transmitted live streaming video and real-time situation awareness data from the aircraft’s onboard infrared camera to multiple ground-based radios.
The flight complements on-going laboratory-based testing to validate AMF JTRS capabilities in an operationally-relevant environment, according to Lockheed Martin.
The team involved with this project, including BAE Systems, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon, plans to perform a ‘live fly’ exercise with multiple aircraft and ground nodes in 2011.
AMF JTRS will be integrated into airborne, shipboard, and fixed-station platforms.
In development for more than a decade, the JTRS effort consists of five programmes of record: Airborne, Maritime, and Fixed Site; Ground Mobile Radio; Handheld, Manpack, and Small Form Fit; Multifunctional Information Distribution System; and Network Enterprise Domain.
By Shephard staff
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system]()
DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system
MARSS’ NiDAR system has been deployed using sensors from static platforms to provide detection and protection for static sights, such as critical infrastructure, ports and military bases.
-
![Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training]()
Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training
Australia is looking to improve its presence in space with a focus on communications and creating a dedicated segment of its defence forces committed to the domain.
-
![EID to unveil new vehicle communication system at DSEI]()
EID to unveil new vehicle communication system at DSEI
The Portuguese company’s naval communications system is in service across more than a dozen countries. It has turned to its home nation for support in developing a new vehicle based C2 system.
-
![Chess Dynamics successfully demonstrates Vision4ce AI-driven tracker]()
Chess Dynamics successfully demonstrates Vision4ce AI-driven tracker
The Vision4ce Deep Embedded Feature Tracking (DEFT) technology software is designed to process video and images by blending traditional computer vision with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to present actionable information from complex environments.
-
![Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend]()
Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend
Persistent Systems has been cleared by National Security Agency (NSA) to transmit sensitive data on commercial networks. The devices are added to the NSA’s Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) component list which also includes other companies’ products providing the same security.
-
![UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release]()
UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release
The release of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has been long promised as mid-year. It is possible it could be as early as 2 June although the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to play its cards close to its chest.
