Firms partner in U.S. Army radio bid

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SAN DIEGO, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Northrop Grumman and ITT Exelis have announced a partnership in a bid to secure a U.S. Army contract for a software-defined radio.

"The innovation and expertise of both companies set this team apart as a formidable force in the MNVR (Mid-Tier Networking Vehicular Radio) competition," said Claude Hashem, vice president of the Network Communication Systems business at Northrop Grumman's Information Systems.

"Northrop Grumman pioneered software-defined radio technology, has expertise in more than 50 waveforms and functions used on advanced networks and applications, and is a recognized leader in the design of open architecture systems and network management solutions.

"Exelis brings unparalleled radio technology experience and proven design, manufacturing and integration expertise having developed the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System with more than 550,000 fielded and the JTRS Soldier Radio Waveform."

The MNVR will replace the Joint Tactical Radio System Ground Mobile Radio, a system under development that the Army canceled.

Northrop said the radio system to be offered -- using its Freedom 350 multi-function radio system -- would give troops "Internet-like" communications. The system, using multiple waveforms, would be interoperable.

The Army issued its draft request for proposal November.