The US Army has awarded a contract to Collins Aerospace to deliver AN/PRC-162 ground radios to support its handheld, manpack and small form fit (HMS) programme.
The second full-rate production (FRP) order seeks to support the Army with a modernised communications network.
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The AN/PRC-162, part of the TruNet networked communications solution family, is a two-channel networked communications ground radio.
The secure system supports the Army’s Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) by enabling simultaneous operations on independent channels.
The radio features narrowband and wideband waveforms, high-speed mobile ad hoc networked communications, point-to-point data, voice and satellite communications, as well as in-theatre IP-based waveform communications.
The small form factor software-defined radio is equipped with a high power output, longer battery life, and enhanced signal sensitivity.
The system will provide the latest tactical satellite communications through the Mobile User Objective System.
In addition, the AN/PRC-162 allows personnel to maintain interoperability with the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System, Trellisware’s TSM waveform, and the Warrior Robust Enhanced Network waveform.
Collins Aerospace Communication, Navigation and Guidance Solutions vice-president and general manager Ryan Bunge said: “Ensuring warfighters can reliably communicate across multiple waveforms on the battlefield has been our priority for decades and is even more critical to the success of JADC2.
“We remain committed to delivering advanced communications capabilities to the Army that are not only feature-rich, but also provide streamlined installation and lower integration costs.”
In July 2019, Collins Aerospace Systems secured an order from the US Army to produce and deliver PRC-162 ground radios for its HMS programme.
The order was part of a $12.7bn maximum firm-fixed-price contract involving manpack radios, accessories, and related services.
