SmartNode Pod linked with US Army HARC system in demo
Northrop Grumman has announced that it has successfully completed a series of ground and flight tests in which its SmartNode Pod was linked with the US Army's High Antenna for Radio Communications (HARC) system. The demonstration showed that linking the pod and HARC system can enhance information communication connectivity between ground, air and remote network nodes.
During the tests, carried out at Mojave in July, the SmartNode Pod was mounted on a Firebird optionally piloted aircraft, enabling HARC to connect with other ground radio networks to form a unified network that operated across different radio systems, including currently deployed legacy systems and radios based on new waveforms.
The SmartNode Pod is based on Northrop Grumman's highly successful Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) technology that exchanges real-time information among disparate military and commercial radios and data link systems, a critical capability for deployed warfighters. It is designed for use on a variety of aircraft and provides critical range extension and gateway capability controlled by the lowest level commanders.
The HARC system has been developed by the US Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center. It is an innovative approach with six antennas on an aerostat that connect to ground radios via fibre optical link. HARC floats above an area where line-of-sight communications are hindered by mountainous terrain or urban canyons.
Claude Hashem, vice president of network communications systems for Northrop Grumman Information Systems, said of the demonstration: ‘Commanders need a locally controlled airborne network that provides BACN-like information sharing to the tactical edge of the battlespace. The SmartNode Pod provides a powerful 'platform-agnostic' capability without the significant cost of platform integration.’
Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for the development, fielding and maintenance of the BACN system. Since Northrop Grumman deployed the BACN system in 2008 to overcome communications limitations, it has delivered near 24/7 coverage in theatre.
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![Northrop Grumman hones US Space Force satellite design in virtual environment]()
Northrop Grumman hones US Space Force satellite design in virtual environment
The company has applied its Highly Immersive Virtual Environment technology to the design process of polar overwatch satellites ordered by the US Space Force.
-
![Northrop Grumman joins USAF effort to build digital network backbone]()
Northrop Grumman joins USAF effort to build digital network backbone
The company will join Phase 1 of the Common Tactical Edge Network effort to enable Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2).
-
![Raytheon satellite network will help track hypersonic threats]()
Raytheon satellite network will help track hypersonic threats
Raytheon Technologies has received an award worth over $250 million to design, develop and deliver a seven-vehicle networked missile tracking satellite constellation from the US Space Development …
-
![Australia's C4i secures Asia-Pacific air defence voice comms contract]()
Australia's C4i secures Asia-Pacific air defence voice comms contract
Frequentis Group's Australian subsidiary C4i has been awarded a contract to provide a VOIP communications control system to enhance a major Asia-Pacific national air defence network.
-
![Ukraine adds automated wide-area reconnaissance system]()
Ukraine adds automated wide-area reconnaissance system
Rheinmetall and DefSecIntel of Estonia are supplying a number of mast-mounted mobile surveillance systems for use in Ukraine.
