Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) has been awarded a second low-rate initial production (LRIP) order by the US Army under the HMS (Handheld,
Manpack & Small Form-Fit) IDIQ contract to bring flexible and highly capable AN/PRC-158 multi-channel radios to the battlefield, the company said.
The
Manpack radio is used for long-range communications.
The Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) narrowband satellite communication upgrades to the Falcon III AN/PRC-117G
manpack radios will help extend the life of the Marine Corps' existing radios by upgrading and modernizing the radio's software.
In late February, Harris unveiled its new RF300H-MP wideband
manpack radio.
The MUOS team tested the ability of the
Manpack Radio to reach the MUOS satellite communications network at latitudes up to 89.5 degrees north.
General Dynamics and Rockwell Collins have teamed up to produce the PRC-155 HMS
Manpack. It is in its third low-rate initial production and they are being sent to schoolhouses and other units so soldiers can become familiar with them, Marzilli said.
The order, placed in January for 1,500 additional PRC-155
Manpack radios, is part of a low-rate initial production contract supporting the Army's fielding requirements.
Under this order, the Marines are acquiring from Harris Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS)-certified Falcon III AN/PRC-117G multiband
manpack tactical radios that form mobile ad-hoc communication networks to exchange voice, video and tactical data reports on the battlefield.
The JTRS HMS program's Milestone C Decision held on 17 June 2011 authorized an initial Low Rate Initial Production of 6,250 AN/PRC-154 Rifleman Radios and 100 AN/PRC-155
Manpack radios.
The AN/PRC-117G is a NSA Type-1 certified wideband
manpack radio system.
He said: "Mobile Registration Vans (MRVs) equipped with state-of-the-art computer and communication equipment are being deployed along with
manpack units."