Harris Corporation (News - Alert) (HRS), an international communications and information technology company, recently announced its Falcon multiband manpack tactical radios and accessories have been selected by the U.S. Air Force as its next-generation radio platform for tactical voice and wideband data communications.

According to the terms of the $85 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract, the Air Force will leverage Falcon III AN/PRC-117G’s wideband networking capabilities to provide seamless connectivity to the Global Information (News - Alert) Grid. The solution from HRS provides warfighters with unprecedented situational awareness of the battlefield through wireless, high-bandwidth communications, enabling applications such as streaming video, simultaneous voice and data feeds, collaborative chat, as well as combat net radio capabilities and connectivity to secure networks. The AN/PRC-117G's wideband networking capabilities give warfighters on the move and field commanders critical real-time information through a man-portable radio that is significantly smaller, lighter and more capable than legacy units.

 “The Air Force will modernize its tactical communications around the wideband AN/PRC-117G, providing its personnel with enhanced situational awareness, ISR and command and control capabilities,” said George Helm, president, Department of Defense business, Harris RF Communications. “This new IDIQ will allow the Air Force to address both current JTRS requirements as well as emerging interoperability requirements through an affordable, upgradeable, combat-proven platform. The USAF is rapidly advancing its tactical radio modernization program, taking full advantage of the JTRS-Certified AN/PRC-117G manpack radio available today.”

With more than 10 times the processing power of currently fielded Type-1 manpack radios, the AN/PRC-117G provides continuous coverage in the 30 MHz to 2 GHz frequency band and represents state-of-the-art radio technology that ensures software upgradeability well into the future. The radio is half the weight of legacy radios currently fielded, significantly lightening the soldier's load and offers a high degree of mobility, security and survivability.

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