New Air Force contract for Harris Corp.

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MELBOURNE, Fla., Jan. 3 (UPI) -- An $85 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract has been given to the Harris Corp. by the U.S. Air Force for manpack tactical radios.

The Falcon radios, which are JTRS certified, will provide service personnel wideband data networking as well as voice communications.

"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 (Air Force) is rapidly advancing its tactical radio modernization program, taking full advantage of the JTRS-Certified AN/PRC-117G manpack radio available today."

Harris' Falcon III AN/PRC-117G is a next-generation radio that combines line-of-sight, beyond-line-of-sight, and wideband communications capabilities into a single lightweight package. In addition to the U.S. military, it is used by the armed forces of Canada, France, Germany, Australia, Poland and others.

The ID/IQ contract includes an initial order of radios and accessories worth $33 million.