New military radio unveiled

GENOA, Italy, June 13 (UPI) -- Italian defense electronics company Selex Elsag has launched a new modular and upgradable soldier radio system.

The FrontLine Soldier Radio is a fully integrated C2 module and can host both Soldier System C2 and Situational Awareness applications within the radio, avoiding the need for an external body-worn computer.

The company said the design reduces system complexity, box and wire count and cost.

The modular architecture can be equipped with up to two RF transceivers, Selex Elsag said. The current implementation includes a PRR/EZPRR backward-compatible module and either the Soldier Broadband Waveform or Soldier Narrowband Waveform modules for use in congested operational environments.

Both UHF waveforms provide the essential dual-net function capability for a squad commander who, using a single radio, can monitor both the squad and platoon nets simultaneously.

"This takes forward our family of radios from the world-standard PRR/EZPRR, through the enhanced functionality SSR Plus to the next-generation FSR," Phil Robinson, Selex Elsag U.K. senior vice president. "We can match all likely user requirements within limited budgets.

"The FSR is the first narrowband radio which meets the data throughput requirements of the modern battlefield without significant increases in SWAP and/or price, embedding the future warfighter in the digital battlefield."

Selex Elsag, a Finmeccanica company, was created earlier this month through the merger of two Italian companies, Selex Communications and Elsag Datamat.