Navy orders additional Digital Modular Radios

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 20 (UPI) -- General Dynamics Mission Systems to build and deliver Digital Modular Radios to the U.S. Navy for use on surface vessels and submarines.

The order for more than 30 software-defined AN/USC-61(C) DMRs is the exercise of a sixth option under a 2010 contract.

"This contract demonstrates the Navy's continuing trust in DMR as it keeps pace with new and innovative communications technology for sailors and their commanders to securely connect with one another anywhere, everywhere, worldwide," said Paul Parent, vice president of Radio Products for General Dynamics Mission Systems. "The new radios, like the 550 DMRs already delivered to the Navy, are updated and upgraded using software, leaving the basic hardware in place, cost-effectively increasing radio functionality and versatility year after year."

The radios allow sailors and commanders to talk and share data using a wide spectrum of military radios. The Mobile User Objective System, or MUOS, satellite communications network waveform has been added to the system for secure, smartphone-like capabilities once MUOS satellites are operational.