SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Dec. 19 (UPI) -- A tactical radio by General Dynamics C4 Systems for secure networked communications has been tested by the U.S. Army.
The JTRS HMS AN/PRC-154 Rifleman radio, one of the Joint Tactical Radio System is the first JTRS radio to use the Soldier Radio Waveform, which enables secure networked communications among platoon, squad and team-level soldiers and their leaders.
The system underwent an initial operational test and evaluation by the Army at Fort Bliss, Texas.
"We're getting great feedback from soldiers who prefer the Rifleman radio, rather than lugging bulky wideband handheld radios that require extra batteries," said Chris Brady, vice president of Assured Communications for General Dynamics C4 Systems.
"With the Rifleman Radio, soldiers can connect their cellphone or computer and join the network -- anywhere they fight."
General Dynamics said the radio was tested in a variety of scenarios, including convoy operations, reconnaissance and counterinsurgency.
"We have to factor in being able to talk to each other over a distance, rather than everybody being essentially co-located with a limited amount of space and distance between them. Now we can expand that space and distance. We can cover a larger area," an Army officer who took part in the tests said.
A total of 6,250 AN/PRC-154 Rifleman units will be manufactured under low-rate initial production approval.
Working with General Dynamics C4 Systems on the program is BAE Systems in Wayne, N.J.; Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Thales Communications in Clarksburg, Md.
