Posted by Skyler Frink

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Dec. 14, 2011. The JTRS HMS AN/PRC-154 Rifleman radio by General Dynamics C4 Systems completed its Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) during the U.S. Army’s recently concluded Network Integration Evaluation at Fort Bliss, Texas. The Rifleman radio, one of the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Handheld, Manpack, Small Form Fit (HMS) family of radios, is the first JTRS radio to use the Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW) to enable secure networked communications among platoon, squad and team-level soldiers and their leaders. The IOT&E is the last formal test required by the military before the radios enter full-rate production.

Members of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division (2/1 AD) evaluated the AN/PRC-154 Rifleman radio in a variety of tactical exercises that included convoy operations, reconnaissance, counterinsurgency and medical evacuation missions. In a recent Army announcement,, Capt. Ryan McNally, a company commander with the 2/1 AD, said the ability to communicate with the radios instead of shouting or using hand-and-arm signals had altered his soldiers' tactical approach to their missions.

In the same report a 2/1 AD platoon leader, 2nd Lt. Travis V. Mount, said the technology showing the positions of his troops allowed him to save time by immediately adapting and executing his plans rather than tracking down personnel first.

In June 2011, the JTRS HMS program achieved a Milestone C decision, enabling the Low Rate Initial Production of 6,250 AN/PRC-154 Rifleman and 100 AN/PRC-155 Manpack radios. JTRS HMS radios take full advantage of the government’s library of waveforms, including the Soldier Radio Waveform, and in the future, the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) and Wideband Networking Waveform (WNW) critical to communicating on the Army’s emerging tactical communications network.

General Dynamics C4 Systems is prime contractor for the JTRS HMS program. The JTRS HMS team includes BAE Systems (Wayne, N.J.); Rockwell Collins (Cedar Rapids, Iowa); and Thales Communications (Clarksburg, Md.).