Thales has secured a $37m contract to supply the world’s first dual-channel handheld networking radio for the US Army’s security force assistance brigades (SFABs).
The company will deliver AN/PRC-148C improved multiband inter-intra team radio (IMBITR) to improve tactical communications for joint and coalition force interoperability.
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IMBITR is claimed to provide narrowband and tactical satellite communications capabilities to SFAB soldiers. The radio supports the TrellisWare TSM waveform.
Its ability to provide simultaneous networked voice, data and video communications will improve situational awareness and real-time decision-making, Thales stated.
Thales Defense and Security president and CEO Mike Sheehan said: “Thales is pleased to be part of this new mission for the army, and with the Thales IMBITR radio, soldiers will benefit from a decisive tactical advantage that comes with using the most capable radio on the market.”
Earlier this month, Harris was selected to provide Falcon III AN/PRC-152A wideband networking handheld radios, AN/PRC-117G multiband networking manpack radios and AN/PRC-160 high-frequency manpack radios for SFABs.
The SFABs are responsible for providing a cross-functional advisory capacity to support theatre security cooperation activities and to build partner capacity across the world. They train, organise, and provide coalition forces with equipment to enable them to complete their missions.
The brigade also improves and strengthens coalition partner capability, which saves US Army forces combat power for urgent missions if required.
Thales has deployed more than 800,000 tactical radios worldwide to date.
