General Dynamics to provide military mobile radios in $107.3 million contract

Jan. 1, 2014
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md., 1 Jan. 2014. Military communications systems designers at General Dynamics C4 Systems in Scottsdale, Ariz., will provide mobile software-defined radios for the U.S. Army under terms of a $107.3 million contract modification.
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md., 1 Jan. 2014.Military communications systems designers at General Dynamics C4 Systems in Scottsdale, Ariz., will provide mobile software-defined radios for the U.S. Army under terms of a $107.3 million contract modification.

Officials of the Army Contracting Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., are asking General Dynamics to provide 1,500 manpack radio kits and 500 dismount kits for the Handheld Manpack & Small Form Fit (HMS) radio system, formerly known as the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Cluster 5.

Related: Rockwell Collins awarded DARPA contract to advance software defined radio

General Dynamics originally won the contract a decade ago to provide JTRS Cluster 5 radios, which have been renamed the HMS. The original contract was worth more than $300 million.

The HMS radio system from General Dynamics consists of the AN/PRC-154 Rifleman radio and the AN/PRC-155 2-channel manpack radio. The HMS radio system extends network connectivity with voice, data, and video communications for sensors, robots, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), ground vehicles, and mobile infantry.

Related: MIDS JTRS software-defined radio terminal gets DOD go-ahead for full production and fielding

The General Dynamics team providing the HMS includes BAE Systems, Rockwell Collins, and Thales Communications Inc. The HMS connects warfighters without unnecessary gateways or extra devices, includes waveform and upgrades, provides self-forming networks without cell towers or fiber optics.

The AN/PRC-154A Rifleman radio is a handheld communications system for infantry that routes information through other radios in the ad hoc network and enables warfighters to see others in their teams on moving map displays, and helps leaders track infantry GPS locations and other situational-awareness information.

Related: Harris Corp introduces new software-defined radio for 700/800 MHz communications

The AN/PRC-155 2-channel manpack is for infantry network connectivity that supports advanced (SRW, WNW, MUOS) and current-force (SINCGARS, SATCOM, and HF). It is designed for vehicular installations as well as dismounted operations.

The AN/PRC-155 radio creates self-forming ad-hoc networks in battlefield scenarios, bridges networks together, and is reconfigurable and interoperable with current-force and future radios.

For more information contact General Dynamics C4 Systems online at www.gdc4s.com, or the Army Contracting Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground at www.acc.army.mil/contractingcenters/acc-apg.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Military Aerospace, create an account today!