Australia, U.S. order military radio systems

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Radio equipment for Australian and U.S. military forces are to be supplied by Harris Corporation and Rockwell Collins under separate contracts.

Harris Corporation said it is supplying its Falcon III tactical radio to Australia under a $38 million award, providing a capability for secure Type-1 tactical voice and data communications.

Rockwell Collins, meanwhile, is to continue to provide its ARC-210 advanced airborne software defined radio system to U.S. forces under a $420 million contract from the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command.

"This contract validates the superior performance of the ARC-210 and reaffirms its standing as the U.S. Department of Defense's preferred airborne radio," said Mike Jones, vice president and general manager of Communication and Navigation Products for Rockwell Collins. "The ARC-210 will continue to provide U.S. and allied warfighters with unprecedented levels of situational awareness and communication that lead to enhanced safety along with greater mission effectiveness."

The Falcon IIIs for Australia by Harris Corporation will be the AN/PRC-152A handheld and AN/PRC-117G manpack radios. Both provide wideband tactical networking capabilities, as well as line-of-sight, ground-to-air and tactical satellite communications. Both also provide users with interoperability through legacy narrowband waveforms.

"This order complements the significant capabilities of Australia's JP 2072 Program and expands our ongoing collaboration with the Australian Department of Defense," said Brendan O'Connell, president, International Business, Harris RF Communications. "Harris Falcon radios provide the ADF with wideband capabilities, a broad suite of interoperable waveforms, and the ability to easily accommodate future Joint Tactical Radio Systems waveforms." Details on the number of Falcon III radios to be supplied and their delivery schedule was not disclosed. Rockwell Collins, however, will supply its systems over a four-year period.

Rockwell Collins said its ARC-210 SDR provides Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) UHF data link, SATCOM Integrated Waveform and Combat Net Radio capabilities. It is also certified with Tactical Secure Voice 2, making it the only modernized, qualified airborne software defined radio with such capability.