FORT WAYNE, Ind., 19 July 2008. ITT Corp. has entered a teaming agreement with General Dynamics C4 Systems to develop a Software Compliant Architecture (SCA) conforming Small Form Fit-SideHat known as SFF-S.

The teaming agreement provides the potential for more than 250,000 fielded Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) to communicate with new Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) radios as they are fielded, providing a smooth transition while both systems are still in use.

The work will be performed by ITT Communications Systems headquartered in Fort Wayne, Ind.

SideHat adds a second channel to the SINCGARS that is capable of running the Soldier Radio waveform, the dominant software application connecting tactical radios -- including JTRS -- in the battlefield. As part of the agreement, General Dynamics will supply JTRS HMS software-defined core radios, enabling JTRS interoperability and connectivity to the Tactical Internet for vehicle-mounted warfighters.

General Dynamics C4 Systems is the prime contractor for the JTRS Handheld, Manpack Small Form Fit (HMS) program. General Dynamics, together with its teammates BAE Systems, Rockwell Collins, and Thales Communications Inc., is credited with the development and manufacture of software-defined radios with the lowest possible size, weight, power, and unit cost, which will be used by ground soldiers in handheld and manpacked devices, as well as embedded in unmanned aerial vehicles and sensors for munitions.